Execute script after specific delay using JavaScript

Question

Is there any JavaScript method similar to the jQuery delay() or wait() (to delay the execution of a script for a specific amount of time)?

Answer 1

I had some ajax commands I wanted to run with a delay in between. Here is a simple example of one way to do that. I am prepared to be ripped to shreds though for my unconventional approach. :)

//  Show current seconds and milliseconds
//  (I know there are other ways, I was aiming for minimal code
//  and fixed width.)
function secs()
{
    var s = Date.now() + ""; s = s.substr(s.length - 5);
  return s.substr(0, 2) + "." + s.substr(2);
}

//  Log we're loading
console.log("Loading: " + secs());

//  Create a list of commands to execute
var cmds = 
[
    function() { console.log("A: " + secs()); },
    function() { console.log("B: " + secs()); },
    function() { console.log("C: " + secs()); },
    function() { console.log("D: " + secs()); },
    function() { console.log("E: " + secs()); },
  function() { console.log("done: " + secs()); }
];

//  Run each command with a second delay in between
var ms = 1000;
cmds.forEach(function(cmd, i)
{
    setTimeout(cmd, ms * i);
});

// Log we've loaded (probably logged before first command)
console.log("Loaded: " + secs());

You can copy the code block and paste it into a console window and see something like:

Loading: 03.077
Loaded: 03.078
A: 03.079
B: 04.075
C: 05.075
D: 06.075
E: 07.076
done: 08.076