JavaScript: How to delay a function?

Question

I have two functions in Javascript code one looped in the other.

Something like:

function doThis(){
 doThat(); 
 window.setTimeout( doThis , 2000); 
}
function doThat(){
 if(someCondition){
 window.clearTimeout(id)
 }
 var id = window.setTimeout( doThat, 10000);
}

What exactly I want to do: doThis is called as soon as the window is loaded. Now, as soon as it is called, it should hand over the control to doThat() which waits for 10 seconds before executing again.

Now, doThat() is executed till the if codition is satisfied. And then, it should hand the control back to doThis() which should then wait for 2 seconds and repeat this cycle over and over.

I do not want to use jQuery(callback or chaining stuff) or any other javaScript libarary.How to do this?

• Alnitak: "executed till the if is satisfied"? How, the code doesn't do that. And you absolutely mustn't put your code into a busy loop waiting for it.

Answer 1

If I understood correctly,

function first() {
 setTimeout(second, 1000)
}
function second() {
 if(condition) {
 setTimeout(first, 2000)
 } else {
 setTimeout(second, 10000)
 }
}

No need to save the timeout anywhere or to clear it.

• Navneet Saini: in 'first()', you did 'setTimeout(second, 1000)'. Could you please explain me what is that for? I will lose 1 second for no reason. Isn't it?
• georg: @NavneetSaini: I misread your explanation then. It would help if you provided your actual code, because currently the first function makes no sense at all.
• Navneet Saini: I got an idea how to do it, if it doesnt work, I will return back. Thanks for your response:)
• Alnitak: of course, if first does nothing except create the timer, it's unnecessary...

Answer 2

Using setInterval() might be more appropriate: link

• Alnitak: using setInterval is almost never more appropriate.
• Navneet Saini: @Alnitak What do you mean?
• Alnitak: @NavneetSaini because setInterval does not provide reliable timing when tabs are hidden, etc.
• Navneet Saini: @Alnitak, so what could be the better way to execute above thing, then?