javascript - Do something every 5 seconds and the code to stop it. (JQuery)

Question

How can I repeat a function doSomething() every 5 seconds.

I also need code that will make it stop doing it.

And code to on-the-fly adjust the frequency.

Answer 1

setTimeout() will only launch the command once. In this case, setInterval() is your friend.

var iFrequency = 5000; // expressed in miliseconds
var myInterval = 0;

// STARTS and Resets the loop if any
function startLoop() {
    if(myInterval > 0) clearInterval(myInterval);  // stop
    myInterval = setInterval( "doSomething()", iFrequency );  // run
}

function doSomething()
{
    // (do something here)
}

from code...

<input type="button" onclick="iFrequency+=1000; startLoop(); return false;" 
       value="Add 1 second more to the interval" />