How to create an accurate timer in javascript?

Question

I need to create a simple but accurate timer.

This is my code:

var seconds = 0;
setInterval(function() {
timer.innerHTML = seconds++;
}, 1000);
         


        

Answer 1

I agree with Bergi on using Date, but his solution was a bit of overkill for my use. I simply wanted my animated clock (digital and analog SVGs) to update on the second and not overrun or under run creating obvious jumps in the clock updates. Here is the snippet of code I put in my clock update functions:

    var milliseconds = now.getMilliseconds();
    var newTimeout = 1000 - milliseconds;
    this.timeoutVariable = setTimeout((function(thisObj) { return function() { thisObj.update(); } })(this), newTimeout);

It simply calculates the delta time to the next even second, and sets the timeout to that delta. This syncs all of my clock objects to the second. Hope this is helpful.