How to keep reusing timer

Question

I'm making a simple game on console for practice that requires a time limit each round and I've encountered a problem with trying to make it so I can use timer more than once. I have this:

class Program
{
    static Timer timer = new Timer(1000);
    static int t = 10;

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        timer.Elapsed += Timer_Elapsed1;
        timer.Start();
        Console.ReadLine();
        t = 10;
        timer.Start();
        Console.ReadLine();
    }

My thoughts were that the 2nd timer.Start() would get the same result as the first, but nothing happens.

private static void Timer_Elapsed1(object sender, ElapsedEventArgs e)
{
    t--;
    Console.WriteLine("Hello!");

    if (t == 0)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Goodbye!");
        timer.Stop();
    }
}

Why is the second timer.Start() not doing anything? How do I make it so I can use timer.Start() again and it will do the same thing as the first time? I'm using System.Timers

NVM IT DOES WORK, IM JUST DUMB LOL

Should your first timer not keep elapsing after 1000 ms? From my previous work with timers, once it is started, it will keep firing at the interval. — ti034, Oct 18 '18 at 15:07
Which timer are you using? There are at least 3 `Timer` classes in .Net — Ian, Oct 18 '18 at 15:11
'My thoughts were that the 2nd timer.Start() would get the same result as the first' what result are you referring to ? Why do you think you need the second call to timer.Start() ? — auburg, Oct 18 '18 at 15:14
The `System.Timers` timer periodically raises the `TimerElapsed` event at a given interval. Calling `Start` sets a boolean to true, saying that it will raise the event, calling `Stop` sets the boolean to false, saying that it won't raise the event. Calling `Start` the second time does nothing because it's telling the time to raise the event, but it's already doing that. — St. Pat, Oct 18 '18 at 15:18
@auburg the result of the first start, being the 10 "Hello!" And 1 "Goodbye!". I want the timer to stop or pause until it needs to tick again , I figured I'd have to start it up again once I need it again. — Yummy275, Oct 18 '18 at 15:19
@Yummy275 Just to be sure, are you pressing Enter after the first Goodbye? — St. Pat, Oct 18 '18 at 15:27
I've ran your code and it seems to work as intended i.e. if you wait for 10 seconds and let it print Goodbye and then press a key the second Start() call triggers the timer countdown again. Isn't this what you're expecting ? — auburg, Oct 18 '18 at 15:29
OMG IM DUMB . You're right it does work , I was smashing the enter button which caused it to end. I'm sorry for wasting your guys time ! Embarrassing haha — Yummy275, Oct 18 '18 at 15:33
@auburg I've read that it's important to do that ,but I'm curious as to when i should call it. Should call it when I'm all done using timer , or should I add it after timer.Stop()? Oh and I forgot to say thank you! — Yummy275, Oct 18 '18 at 15:49

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 18 '18 at 15:09

0

Try stopping or disabling the first timer before trying to start a second time.

C# - how do you stop a timer?

answered Oct 18 '18 at 15:09

ti034

191
2
13

1

I thought I did that when t = 0 ? – Yummy275 Oct 18 '18 at 15:13

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 18 '18 at 15:13

I fell compelled to give you some disclaimers:

First, console is not the right Environment for Game Development. Neither is any of the GUI techs. For games you got XNA (pretty dated) and with .NET Core a bunch of new Options. The important thing is that you have a Game Loop of some form. Or at least imitate one.

Secondly, I am unsure how well most Timers work in console apps. Most of them use callbacks wich usually require a MessageQueue - wich is a GUI feature. I guess you could try a Multithreading time, but then you have to relearn everything if you leave Console applications.

As for your code: I am unsure when the Timer tick happens since you specified no interval. But I guess either:

never
after the 2nd timer start

The interval is set to 1 second - Timer timer = new Timer(1000) — auburg, Oct 18 '18 at 15:16

How to keep reusing timer

2 Answers2