How to set a timer in android

Question

What is the proper way to set a timer in android in order to kick off a task (a function that I create which does not change the UI)? Use this the Java way: http://docs.ora

Answer 1

I am using a handler and runnable to create a timer. I wrapper this in an abstract class. Just derive/implement it and you are good to go:

 public static abstract class SimpleTimer {
    abstract void onTimer();

    private Runnable runnableCode = null;
    private Handler handler = new Handler();

    void startDelayed(final int intervalMS, int delayMS) {
        runnableCode = new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                handler.postDelayed(runnableCode, intervalMS);
                onTimer();
            }
        };
        handler.postDelayed(runnableCode, delayMS);
    }

    void start(final int intervalMS) {
        startDelayed(intervalMS, 0);
    }

    void stop() {
        handler.removeCallbacks(runnableCode);
    }
}

Note that the handler.postDelayed is called before the code to be executed - this will make the timer more closed timed as "expected". However in cases were the timer runs to frequently and the task (onTimer()) is long - there might be overlaps. If you want to start counting intervalMS after the task is done, move the onTimer() call a line above.