Simple Timer

Code Sharing
1

I was frustrated with the lack of simple timers that work, so I devised this bit of code:

`
– Timer

function setup()
t=00
s=0
m=0
textAlign(CENTER)
fontSize(50)
end

function draw()
t=t+1
if t == 60 then
t=00
s=s+1
print(s)
end

if s==60 then
    s=00
    m=m+1
    print(m)
end
text(t..":"..s..":"..m,WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2)

end
`

2

@DJMoffinz Heres an update to your code.

-- Timer

function setup()
    t=00
    s=0
    m=0
    textAlign(CENTER)
    fontSize(50)
end

function draw()
    background(0)
    t=t+1
    if t == 60 then
        t=00
        s=s+1
        print(s)
    end
    
    if s==60 then
        s=00
        m=m+1
        print(m)
    end
    text(t..":"..s..":"..m,WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2)
    text(string.format("%02d:%02d:%02d",t,s,m),WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2-50)
end
3

@dave1707
Thanks! That looks much better visually!

4

Added a way to pause the timer if necessary:


function setup()
    t=00
    s=0
    m=0
    p=0
    textAlign(CENTER)
    fontSize(50)
end

function touched(touch)
    if touch.state == BEGAN then
        if p==0 then
            p=1
        elseif p==1 then
            p=0
        end
    end
end

function draw()
    background(0)
    if p==0 then
        t=t+1
        if t == 60 then
            t=00
            s=s+1
            print(s.."s")
        end

        if s==60 then
            s=00
            m=m+1
            print(m.."m")
        end
    end
    
    text(string.format("%02d:%02d:%02d",t,s,m),WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2)
    
    if p==1 then
        text("PAUSED",WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2 - 50)
    end
end ```
5

@DJMoffinz I made minor changes to your code.

function setup()
    t,s,m=0,0,0
    fontSize(50)
end

function touched(touch)
    if touch.state == BEGAN then
        p = not p   -- toggle p between true or false
    end
end

function draw()
    background(0)
    if p then
        text("PAUSED",WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2 - 50)
    else
        t=t+1
        if t == 60 then
            t=0
            s=s+1
            if s==60 then
                s=0
                m=m+1
            end
        end
    end    
    text(string.format("%02d:%02d:%02d",t,s,m),WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2)
end
6

Thanks again!

7 
tween.delay(3, function()
print("Hello again, after 3 second!")
end)
8

The issue with creating a timer by incrementing in the draw function is that there’s no guarantee this will actually run 60 times per second. Heavy processing could cause the frame rate to drop and the timer would then be inaccurate.

I’d suggest using Jarc’s suggestion or the ‘ElapsedTime’ variable to make sure this is actually accurate.

Splitting the timer into seconds & minutes also complicates the loop needlessly. It would be better (and easier) to just use seconds and calculate the duration when initialising the timer (seconds + minutes * 60).

9

@Steppers ElapsedTime is also affected by heavy processing. Using tween delay doesn’t give you the ability to pause/show the time. It’s mainly used for process delays. If you want a timer unaffected by heavy processing then use the socket function gettime. Under heavy processing you won’t get a smooth timer display because the draw function will be slowed down, but the time values will be correct.
Here’s an example using the socket function gettime.

viewer.mode=FULLSCREEN

function setup()
    font("Courier")
    s=require("socket")
    h,m,sec,dd=0,0,0,0
    st=0
end

function draw()
    background(0)
    fill(255)
    format()
    fontSize(100)
    text(string.format("%02d:%02d:%02d.%02d",h,m,sec,dd),WIDTH/2,HEIGHT/2)
    fontSize(30)
    text("Tap screen to start/pause/lap",WIDTH/2,HEIGHT-100)
end

function touched(t)
    if t.state==BEGAN then
        if st==0 then 
            st=s:gettime()
        end
        run=not run
    end
end

function format()
    if run then
        diff=s:gettime()-st
        h=diff//3600
        m=(diff%3600)//60
        sec=(diff%60)//1
        dd=((diff*100)%100)//1
    end
end
10

My newest iPad runs at 120 per second.

11

@RonJeffries Any timer that adds 1 per draw cycle and divides by 60 to get seconds will be wrong on your iPad. But the above code that uses socket gettime will still be correct on yours.

12

correct. i was just confirming the need for that. would ElapsedTime not work as well?

13

@RonJeffries I believe ElapsedTime would work on the 120. As I mentioned above, under a heavy load, ElapsedTime loses time. So it’s not as accurate under all circumstances. Under a normal load, ElapsedTime works well.

14

interesting, didn’t know that. btw, where did you find “socket” and what’s in it? thanks!

15

I’m not sure where or how long ago I found socket, but you can try this link and look under socket. Tap each command for more info.

http://w3.impa.br/~diego/software/luasocket/reference.html
16

super, thanks! it’s built in to codea? what else is in there?