Want a javascript function to run every minute, but max 3 times

Question

I have a ajax javascript method that pulls data from a page etc.

I want this process to run on a timed interval, say every minute. But I don\'t want it to loop forev

Answer 1

A reusable approach

function setMaxExeuctionInterval( callback, delay, maxExecutions )
{
  var intervalCallback = function()
  {
    var self = intervalCallback;
    if ( 'undefined' == typeof self.executedIntervals )
    {
      self.executedIntervals = 1;
    }
    if ( self.executedIntervals == maxExecutions )
    {
      clearInterval( self.interval )
    }
    self.executedIntervals += 1;
    callback();
  };
  intervalCallback.interval = setInterval( intervalCallback, delay );
}

// console.log requires Firebug
setMaxExeuctionInterval( function(){ console.log( 'hi' );}, 700, 3 );
setMaxExeuctionInterval( function(){ console.log( 'bye' );}, 200, 8 );

Answer 2

To extend Tomalak function:

If you want to know how many cycles are left:

var repeater = function(func, times, interval) {
    window.setTimeout( function(times) {
    return function() {
      if (--times > 0) window.setTimeout(arguments.callee, interval);
      func(times);
    }
  }(times), interval);
}

and use:

repeater(function(left){
    //... (do you stuff here) ...
    if(left == 0) {
        alert("I'm done");
    }
}, 3, 60000);

Answer 3

This anonymous function (it doesn't introduce any new globals) will do what you need. All you have to do is replace yourFunction with your function.

(function(fn, interval, maxIterations) {
    var iterations = 0,
    id = setInterval(function() {
        if (++iterations > maxIterations)
            return clearInterval(id);

        fn();
    }, interval);
})(yourFunction, 60000, 3);