Flex 4 timers keep Firing - function

I'm trying to create a simple flex4 project which involves some timers that trigger other functions.
I don't have much experience with Action Script and even less with timer events.
Here is a bit of my code it seems to be working for the most part but you lines were I'm adding up the total score (score = score +1;) seems to just keep adding and adding when I test the application. I think its because the timers keep firing the function but I'm not sure.
private var score:int = 0;
private function submit():void {
this.currentState = 'loading';
var timer:Timer = new Timer(2200);
timer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, removeLoading);
timer.start();
}
private function removeLoading(event:TimerEvent):void{
removeloading.play();
var timer1:Timer = new Timer(1000);
timer1.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, viewResults);
timer1.start();
this.currentState = 'results';
}
private function viewResults(event:TimerEvent):void{
if (q1_t.selected == true){
answer1m.text = 'You Answer the Question Correctly.';
score = score +1;
} else {
answer1m.text ='The Correct answer was: '+ q1_t.label;
}
if (q2_f.selected == true){
answer2m.text = 'You Answer the Question Correctly.';
score = score +1;
} else {
answer2m.text ='The Correct answer was: '+ q2_f.label;
}
finalscore.text = score.toString();
}

So I did a bit more research and turns out I hadn't included the second timer parameter.
The second parameter is the number of times that the TimerEvent.TIMER event will be dispatched before stopping. If you set the second parameter to 0 (zero) or omitted it completely, the timer would run forever (or until you called the stop() method on the timer instance.
Since I only want to run the event once I need to add 1.
From this:
var timer:Timer = new Timer(2200);
To this:
var timer:Timer = new Timer(2200,1);

Related

AS3 running an event for a set duration after button (or anything) event

For the purposes of the question, Imagine I have an object onstage. When I click on another button, I want the colour to change for 1 second, then revert back again when finished.
Here's what my demo code looks like:
Button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, Colour_Change);
function Colour_Change(evt: MouseEvent): void {
var my_color: ColorTransform = new ColorTransform();
my_color.color = 0xFF0000;
Coloured_Object.transform.colorTransform = my_color;
}
What I am wanting is some sort of timer function to be incorporated in the above function. I haven't got any idea how to do it, hence why there's no implementation.
You should use the flash.utils.Timer class.Adobe ActionScript 3.0 Reference for the Timer class
The following should be enough to get you headed in the right direction:
import flash.utils.Timer;
var myTimer:Timer = new Timer(1000, 1); // 1 second
var running:Boolean = false;
Button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, Colour_Change);
myTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, runOnce);
function Colour_Change(evt: MouseEvent): void {
var my_color: ColorTransform = new ColorTransform();
my_color.color = 0xFF0000;
Coloured_Object.transform.colorTransform = my_color;
if(!running) {
myTimer.start();
running = true;
}
}
function runOnce(event:TimerEvent):void {
// code to revert the button's color back goes here
myTimer.reset();
running = false;
}
Let me know if you need more help or if this example has errors via this answer's comments section.
To further explain the Timer class as used above:
when creating a new timer
myTimer=new Timer(1000,1)
the first number in the brackets is the number of milliseconds you want the timer to run for (e.g. 1000 = 1 second)
The second number is how many times you want the timer to repeat (or 0 for infinite repetition).
Every time the timer reaches the time you entered (1000), this is will trigger any event listeners for the event Timer_Event.TIMER, so for example if u wanted to make it change color on and off, you could have multiple repetitions on the timer and change the function.
Other useful things timers can do:
You can add an event listener for
Timer_Event.TIMER_COMPLETE
(goes off when all repetitions are complete)
myTimer.currentCount
will return the number of repetitions the timer has done so far.
To do that you can use, as other answers said, a Timer object or the setTimeout() function, like this :
// the current color of our target object
var default_color:ColorTransform;
// the delay in milliseconds
var delay:int = 1000;
btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, Colour_Change);
function Colour_Change(evt: MouseEvent): void {
// save the current color of our target object
default_color = target.transform.colorTransform;
var new_color:ColorTransform = new ColorTransform();
new_color.color = 0xFF0000;
target.transform.colorTransform = new_color;
var timer:Timer = new Timer(delay, 1);
timer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, function(e:TimerEvent):void {
// after the delay, we use the default color of our target
target.transform.colorTransform = default_color;
})
timer.start();
// using setTimeout(), you have to disable this if using the Timer
var timeout:int = setTimeout(
function(){
clearTimeout(timeout);
// after the delay, we use the default color of our target
target.transform.colorTransform = default_color;
},
delay
);
}
Hope that can help.

Actionscript 3 timer is unidentified, how do I fix this?

I'm building a memory Flash game, in which there's a timer that gives you a certain amount of time to finish the deck of cards. The code for this timer is shown below:
public function memory():void
{
levelDuration = 10;
gameTime = levelDuration;
var gameTimer:Timer = new Timer(1000,levelDuration);
gameTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, updateTime);
gameTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE, timeExpired);
gameTimer.start();
}
function updateTime(e:TimerEvent):void // what happens when the time runs out
{
// your class variable tracking each second,
gameTime--;
//update your user interface as needed
timeText.text = "Tijd : " + String(gameTime); //gameTime is defined before the public function memory
}
function timeExpired(e:TimerEvent):void
{
var gameTimer:Timer = e.target as Timer;
gameTimer.removeEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, updateTime);
gameTimer.removeEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, timeExpired);
finalScore = score;
musicchannel.stop();
gameTimer.stop();
MovieClip(root).gotoAndStop("gameover");
}
Now, this works fine. The timer counts down, and when it expires, it brings you to the gameover screen. However, when you finish the game BEFORE the time expires, the timer doesn't stop. It will bring you back to the gameover screen when it decides it has run out, even when you've started a new game.
I've tried to fix this by putting gameTimer.stop() in other functions that bring you to the gameover screen, but then there was another problem. This occurred while trying to stop the timer in other functions, like this one (stop button while playing):
function stopplaying(event:MouseEvent){
gameTimer.stop();
finalScore = score;
musicchannel.stop();
MovieClip(root).gotoAndStop("introduction");
}
This will give me a compile error 1120: access of undefined property gameTimer.
I understand that the gameTimer usually can only be influenced within a function if that function listens to a TimerEvent, but I don't see any options to do this in any other way.
I've tried to make gameTimer a public variable, but it won't allow me to do that within the main memory function.
Also, when I try to define it a public variable out of a funcion, but within the class, the timer will still count down. But when it expires, it just gives a random high number in return and doesn't go to the gameover screen.
I hope the explanation of my problem wasn't too vague and that you are able to help me with this. This is a schoolproject and it's due pretty soon! Also, I can't figure this out on my own with internet alone :( Several tries have only made things worse, I'm afraid to screw this up now that I've come this far.
You were doing it probably right-ish by declaring it as a public variable.. but where did you declare it?
In AS (all versions) you have function scope. That means if you declare your variable inside a function, that variable "exists" (is accessible) only inside of that function. Check where you are declaring your variable:
public function memory():void
{
levelDuration = 10;
gameTime = levelDuration;
var gameTimer:Timer = new Timer(1000,levelDuration); // <-
gameTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, updateTime);
gameTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE, timeExpired);
gameTimer.start();
}
That means your variable "gameTimer" is local to the function memory(). You won't be able to use your variable anywhere outside of this function because it exists only inside of memory(). To solve this issue, you have move it outside of the function:
private var gameTimer:Timer;
public function memory():void
{
levelDuration = 10;
gameTime = levelDuration;
gameTimer = new Timer(1000,levelDuration);
gameTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, updateTime);
gameTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE, timeExpired);
gameTimer.start();
}
That will solve all your issues.

How to Increase a timer AS3

Hey everyone cant really figure out the easiest approach to this problem.
Basically I have a timer that starts in the beginning of the game like so:
//Create new timer object
tEggTimer = new Timer (nTimerSpeed);
//Listen for timer intervals
tEggTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, addEggs, false, 0, true);
//start timer
tEggTimer.start();
The nTimerSpeed is equal to (800);
Then I add the eggs like so:
private function addEggs(e:TimerEvent):void
{
//var eggGlobalPosition:Point = _Egg.localToGlobal(new Point(_Bunny.x, _Bunny.y));
_Egg = new mcEgg();
stage.addChild(_Egg);
_Egg.x = _Bunny.x;
_Egg.y = _Bunny.y + 30;
aEggArray.push(_Egg);
trace(aEggArray.length);
}
So in another enter frame function I want to change the value of the timer to (500), but whenever I try like so:
tEggTimer = new Timer (500);
tEggTimer.start();
like So:
private function updateDifficulty():void
{
if (difficultyUpdate) return;
if (nScore >= 2)
{
tEggTimer.removeEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, addEggs);
tEggTimer.stop();
tEggTimer = new Timer(200);
tEggTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, addEggs);
tEggTimer.start();
But this doesnt do anything but stop the timer entirely.
What can I do in order to decrease the timer correctly?
Thanks guys.
If you just want to change the timer speed, while keeping everything else the same, you could just change the delay property in the timer object.
Sample here:
import flash.utils.getTimer;
import flash.utils.Timer;
import flash.events.TimerEvent;
import flash.events.MouseEvent;
var speeds:Vector.<int> = new <int>[1000, 2000, 5000];
var currentSpeed:int = 0;
var timer:Timer = new Timer(speeds[currentSpeed]);
function timerTick(inputEvent:TimerEvent):void {
trace("Timer ticking: "+ getTimer());
}
timer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, timerTick, false, 0, true);
timer.start();
function clickedStage(inputEvent:MouseEvent):void {
currentSpeed = ++currentSpeed % speeds.length;
timer.delay = speeds[currentSpeed];
trace("Timer delay set to "+ timer.delay);
}
this.stage.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, clickedStage, false, 0, true);
Clicking on the stage will change the timer delay from 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds and cycle. I'm just using getTimer() to show the rate of which the timer is ticking.
Note that it seems from the output, every time the value is changed, the timer will automatically restart.
timer.reset();
timer.delay = 2000;
timer.start();
May no be the best way but, instead using nTimerSpeed, make it run through every millisecond:
tEggTimer = new Timer (1);
Then in your AddEggs function use nTimerSpeed and a counter variable. counter is initialize to 0. Incase all your logic in an if statement, increment counter every time through function. if counter equals nTimerSpeed, allow for them inside the if statement and reset counter.
function AddEggs()
{
if(counter == nTimerSpeed)
{
//adding eggs logic
counter = 0;
}
counter++;
}
Did you try saying: tEggTimer.stop() just before re-instantiating with the 500 ms version? I'm guessing that your first Timer instance will just keep firing as your new one starts, unless you deliberately stop it.

AS 3 Flash Countdown Timer For Game Over Screen

I am currently in a Flash game programming class with action script 3 and can't seem to find a clock anywhere that counts down and then does an action. I've been using Lynda tutorials and that hasn't been helpful and I have also Google searched quite a bit, but no luck. I have a Countdown clock and have been try "if" statements, but no luck.
Can someone guide me in the right direction on what I am doing wrong?
//game timer
var count:Number = 60; // amount of time
var myTimer:Timer = new Timer(1000,count); // time in ms, count is calling from line above
myTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, countdown);
myTimer.start();
function countdown(event:TimerEvent):void
{
myText_txt.text = String((count)-myTimer.currentCount); //dynamic txt box shows current count
}
//if and else if statements
if (((count)-myTimer.currentCount) == 58)
{
gotoAndStop(2);
}
This should help ;) Without any magic numbers.
var myTimer:Timer = new Timer(1000,60); // every second for 60 seconds
myTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, onTimer);
myTimer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER_COMPLETE, onComplete);
myTimer.start();
function onTimer(e: TimerEvent):void {
myText_txt.text = String(myTimer.repeatCount - myTimer.currentCount);
}
function onComplete(e: TimerEvent):void{
gotoAndStop(2);
}
Add your if statement inside countdown like so:
function countdown(event:TimerEvent):void
{
myText_txt.text = String((count)-myTimer.currentCount); //dynamic txt box shows current count
//if and else if statements
if (((count)-myTimer.currentCount) == 58)
{
gotoAndStop(2);
}
}

Refreshing every XX seconds

I am new to actionscript and flash, but i managed to make code that gets data from php file and refresh result every 30 seconds:
var timerRefreshRate:Number = 30000;
var fatherTime:Timer = new Timer(timerRefreshRate, 0);
fatherTime.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, testaa);
fatherTime.start();
function testaa(event:Event):void{
var loader:URLLoader = new URLLoader();
loader.dataFormat = URLLoaderDataFormat.VARIABLES;
loader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE,varsLoaded);
loader.load(new URLRequest("data.php"));
function varsLoaded (event:Event):void {
this.opaqueBackground = loader.data.color;
title.text=loader.data.title;
banner_text.text=loader.data.text;
}
}
But now i am facing 2 problems:
1.) User must wait 30 seconds for movie to load first time
2.) Setting background color does not work any more.
What am i doing wrong?
You can call your function once to load immediately without waiting 30 seconds. Just change the parameters of the function to default to a null event:
function testaa(event:Event = null):void{
//...
}
Now you can call the function like so:
//...
fatherTime.start();
testaa();
So you start the timer but immediately run the function once.
For your second problem, the issue is most likely that you are using a nested function, so this does not refer to your class but rather the testaa function. Nested functions are bad practice in general and you should avoid them if possible. Move the function and loader reference outside and it should work. Final result should be something like this:
var loader:URLLoader;
var timerRefreshRate:Number = 30000;
var fatherTime:Timer = new Timer(timerRefreshRate, 0);
fatherTime.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, testaa);
fatherTime.start();
testaa();
function testaa(event:Event = null):void{
loader = new URLLoader();
loader.dataFormat = URLLoaderDataFormat.VARIABLES;
loader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE,varsLoaded);
loader.load(new URLRequest("data.php"));
}
function varsLoaded (event:Event):void {
this.opaqueBackground = loader.data.color;
title.text=loader.data.title;
banner_text.text=loader.data.text;
}