Evaluates an expression each time a specified number of milliseconds has elapsed.

Syntax

iTimerID = object.setInterval(vCode, iMilliSeconds [, sLanguage])

Parameters

vCode	Required. Variant that specifies a function pointer or string that indicates the code to be executed when the specified interval has elapsed.
iMilliSeconds	Required. Integer that specifies the number of milliseconds.
sLanguage	Optional. String that specifies any one of the possible values for the LANGUAGE attribute.

Return Value

Integer. Returns an identifier that cancels the timer with the clearInterval method.

Remarks

The setInterval method continuously evaluates the specified expression until the timer is removed with the clearInterval method.

In versions earlier than Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, the first argument of setInterval must be a string. Evaluation of the string is deferred until the specified interval elapses.

As of Internet Explorer 5, the first argument of setInterval can be passed as a string or as a function pointer.

To pass a function as a string, be sure to append the function name with parentheses.

window.setInterval("someFunction()", 5000);

When passing a function pointer, do not include the parentheses.

window.setInterval(someFunction, 5000);

Note  In Windows Internet Explorer, you cannot pass arguments to the callback function directly; however, you can simulate passing arguments by creating an anonymous closure function that references variables within scope of the call to setInterval or setTimeout. For more information, see Examples.

When you use the setInterval method with Introduction to DHTML Behaviors, the value of vCode should be a function pointer to call a function within the HTML Component (HTC) file or a string to call a function in the primary document.

Examples

This example uses the setInterval method to create a Dynamic HTML (DHTML) clock. A variable is assigned to the interval, and can be used as a reference to stop the interval by using the clearInterval method.

var oInterval = "";

function fnStartClock(){
   oInterval = setInterval(fnDoClock,200);
}
function fnDoClock(){
   // Code to display hours, minutes, and seconds.
}
window.onload = fnStartClock; 

This feature requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later. Click the following icon to install the latest version. Then reload this page to view the sample.

The next example demonstrates how to pass arguments to a function with setTimeout or setInterval. To do this, create an inner anonymous function to wrap the real callback function. In the new function scope, you can refer to variables declared prior to the the call to setTimeout (such as div). This structure is referred to as a "closure" in Microsoft JScript

// The first example of a closure passes the variable to a named function.
function startTimer() {
    var div = document.getElementById('currentTime');
    setTimeout(function(){doClock(div)},200);
}
// The second example also uses a closure, by referring to an argument passed to the function.
function doClock(obj) {
    setInterval(function(){obj.innerHTML=(new Date()).toLocaleString()},200);
} 

This feature requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later. Click the following icon to install the latest version. Then reload this page to view the sample.

This example demonstrates that more than one closure can refer to the same variable. Here, the callback function that displays the value of count is called at a different interval than the function that updates its value.

function startCounter() {
    var div = document.getElementById('counter');
    var count = 0;
    setInterval(function(){count++},143);
    setInterval(function(){div.innerHTML=count},667);
} 

Standards Information

There is no public standard that applies to this method.

Applies To

window, Window Constructor

See Also

clearInterval, setTimeout