Timers: How do they work? - Printable Version

Timers: How do they work? - Printable Version

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Timers: How do they work? - waxhunter - 04.06.2012

I know this is not entirely related to Pawn scripting, but I just can't stop thinking: how do timers work?
I've been asking myself this because I'm developing a pong clone for my programming class, and need to run functions after a determined amount of time, such as speed increasing and menu related stuff. I created a delay function using ticks to better control the speed of the ball, but it just wouldn't work for speed increasing, since I want to increase speed every ten seconds.

What I mean is: How would a SetTimer function look like in assembly code, for example? Would it be like a main loop running constantly and checking if an amount of time has passed? If I'm running a program, which has an order of execution, calling a function by a timer would be like interrupting this order of execution to do another function, and then returning to the original point?

I know these will be newbie questions for some, but I am very curious about this.

Re: Timers: How do they work? - leonardo1434 - 04.06.2012

The link below countain everything that is needed to know what is a settimer.

https://sampwiki.blast.hk/wiki/SetTimer

Re: Timers: How do they work? - milanosie - 04.06.2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonardo1434

The link below countain everything that is needed to know what is a settimer.

https://sampwiki.blast.hk/wiki/SetTimer

Thats not what he asks,

He asks how do they work, like how does the language pawn executes them,
not how to set them

Re: Timers: How do they work? - waxhunter - 04.06.2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonardo1434

The link below countain everything that is needed to know what is a settimer.

https://sampwiki.blast.hk/wiki/SetTimer

Not what I meant at all.
I know how to use the function and how does it work, but I would like further knowledge about the logic behind it.
I mean, how would an instruction order work by defined amounts of time?

Re: Timers: How do they work? - Sandiel - 04.06.2012

Timers are just...timers.
You set it, you let it work, then boom, you get results...
for example, I want a timer and loops through the whole online players in my server, and then check for a specific aspect in them (like if they are cops, terrorists, admin etc..)
or, I can just set a timer to send a timed message, reminders, MOTD's etc...

how timers work?
It's seriously and insanly easy!
For instance, I want a timer that goes through the entire online players, and checks if they are VIP's...
So, here's what I do

pawn Код:

public OnGameModeInit()
{
    SetTimer("VIPChekcer", 1000, true); // "1000" represents the time, "true" means the timer will repeat itself after 100 millisecs (1 second)
    return 1;
}

So this basicly sets a timer in my script...now to edit "VIPChecker" content to find VIP's... (or do anything I like)

pawn Код:

forward VIPChecker();

Just place that on top of your script, it basicly "forwards" a public function...now to make this public function, just do this, anywhere. (as long as it is AFTER the line where we forward'd the public function)

pawn Код:

public VIPChecker()
{
    for(new i = 0; i < MAX_PLAYERS; i++) // loops through the whole online players.
    {
        if(PlayerInfo[i][pVIP] == 1) // checks if the players (represented by "i") are VIP's or not.
        {
            // if they are I'll send them a message.
        }
    }
}

Re: Timers: How do they work? - milanosie - 04.06.2012

Still not what he is asking,

He is looking for the machine logica, like the way it works inside a computer

Re: Timers: How do they work? - ricardo178 - 04.06.2012

Well, i don't know binary language, so it's impossible to give that but, as far as i know, it works like that:

When a timer is set, the machine creates a countdown, when this countdown ends up, it does the result. Just like a bomb..

Like, I want to eat a chocolate in 10 seconds, i will think: I will eat it in 10 seconds. Than i count 10 seconds, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and than i eat it..

They also set a variable that says what timer is it.. Like, you create a timer for speed, and it will create a countdown saying speed, so it knows when it's done, it has to execure speed..

Re: Timers: How do they work? - Edward156 - 04.06.2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by milanosie

Thats not what he asks,

He asks how do they work, like how does the language pawn executes them,
not how to set them

Quote:

Originally Posted by milanosie

Still not what he is asking,

He is looking for the machine logica, like the way it works inside a computer

Dude seriously stop commenting if you're here to troll and tell people what to do. Lets see what you got before anything.

Back on topic: Timers are set to work as regular timers in real life. There is really nothing that complex to it.

Re: Timers: How do they work? - waxhunter - 04.06.2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward156

Dude seriously stop commenting if you're here to troll and tell people what to do. Lets see what you got before anything.

He said exactly what I meant in my first post, he's not telling anyone what to do.
I created this post as a scripting discussion, so any answers relating to the subject are valid.
Also, if someone had the answer, this was to serve as a good resource for those who are studying computer science.
I am going to research about the subject, and post here if I find something.

btw thanks for everyone who took the time to try to answer me

Re: Timers: How do they work? - waxhunter - 04.06.2012

I didn't mean to imply that at all, really.
I don't look at it as a "c programming language" question or whatever, but as a generic programming question.
If my topic is not in the purpose in this forum, then I apologise. Still, I would like to find the answer and post it here, merely as a curiosity resource.

Edit: Just found out about this topic, very useful for me and those looking into the matter in question. Check this also.