Difference between $interval and setInterval in AngularJs

Question

I\'m trying to understand what\'s the difference between $interval and setInterval. I have this test:

Dashboard.prototype.updateTotalAppointments = function(         


        

Answer 1

$interval is a wrap for setInterval AND $apply simultaneous. It make the update of scoped variables to be visible when occours on $interval. Also valid for $timeout

Answer 2

$interval is Angular's wrapper for the native Javascript setInterval.

When $interval is used, Angular is aware of any scope changes made by the interval function, and the two-way binding reflects the changes.

When setInterval is used, Angular will not be aware of any scope changes made by the setInterval function.

Put simply, the $interval function triggers Angular's digest cycle while setInterval does not.

This plunkr demonstrates the difference.

Code:

angular.module('DemoApp', [])
  .controller('IntervalCtrl', function($scope, $interval) {


    var updateExampleText = function() {
      console.log('Changing exampleText');
      $scope.exampleText = 'Time: ' + new Date().getSeconds();
    };

    $scope.useInterval = function() {
      //Show current seconds value 5 times after every 1000 ms
      $interval(updateExampleText, 1000, 5);

    };

    $scope.useSetInterval = function() {
      //$scope.exampleText changes are not reflected in the page
      //because Angular is not aware of the changes.
      setInterval(updateExampleText, 1000);
    };
  });