Blocking call in javascript

Question

Is it a good idea to write a blocking call in javascript ? Meaning a function that does something for x seconds and returns ?

I wanted to add artificial delays by adding these inline blocking functions.

Downside of doing this is that the CPU is very busy executing some random stuff for x seconds.

Another downside is that the multiple tabs in the browser might hang.

Is there a better way to do this ???

Not sure how many seconds you want to delay for, but if it's too long most modern browsers will display a message to the user telling them there is a slow-running script and asking if they want to cancel it. I assume you don't want that. — nnnnnn
– nnnnnn, Commented Oct 18, 2011 at 7:32

Greg Hewgill · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-18 07:07:52Z

3

No, it is not a good idea to do this (you have mentioned some reasons why). Use setTimeout instead.

answered Oct 18, 2011 at 7:07

Greg Hewgill

1.0m192 gold badges1.2k silver badges1.3k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

5 Comments

kay am see Over a year ago

setTimeout would not work in my use case as it would not block code execution.

Greg Hewgill Over a year ago

I'm afraid you will need to reevaluate your use case. Blocking a browser is not a good idea.

kay am see Over a year ago

My use case is simple : I am trying to push the onLoad event artificially, by putting these inline blocking calls.

Ray Toal Over a year ago

Can you elaborate on what it means to "push the onLoad event"?

kay am see Over a year ago

push onLoad event : e.g. lets say a normal onLoad fires around 2 seconds, I want it to fire at 5 seconds with 3 seconds of delay ( artificially induced )

Ray Toal · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-18 07:27:06Z

2

If I understand your question correctly from your comments made to the other answerers, you want to simulate a "thread" that does something, then blocks for a time, then resumes. During the time this "thread" is "blocked," (1) other tabs are active, and (2) the CPU is not busy-waiting.

If this is the case, you can use setTimeout (as Greg Hewgill pointed out). The trick is to think about it as follows. Break up your "thread" into two parts:

DO_FIRST_PART
setTimeout(function () {DO_SECOND_PART}, 5000);

Now you have simulated a thread with a 5 second delay in the middle.

Of course other events on this tab or process will still be accepted. But as Greg pointed out, they should be.

answered Oct 18, 2011 at 7:27

Ray Toal

88.7k20 gold badges186 silver badges245 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Blocking call in javascript

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related