[General] Every X seconds VS Timer

[Ugabunda]

Hi guys,

My editor is getting a bit slow when opening the variable window, so I'm trying to cut down on them if possible. One area which contributes to lots of variables are Timers.

For spells with repeating events, is it generally better to use repeating Timers (every 0.1 seconds...) or can I simply use "Every 0.1 seconds" without disadvantage?

So basically:

• Time - Every 0.03 seconds of game time

VS

• Time - Timer expires (every 0.03 seconds)

Cheers

 

[Uncle]

I believe the minimum time that the Periodic Interval event runs is every 0.03125 seconds. So there's that to keep in mind. Timers on the other hand are precise.

For saving Variables, perhaps it's time to learn Jass? Or better yet Lua, but it can be a headache to make the switch if your map is far into development.

 

[Drake53]

For spells with repeating events, is it generally better to use repeating Timers (every 0.1 seconds...) or can I simply use "Every 0.1 seconds" without disadvantage?

IMO it's better to use your own timers. With the 'every x seconds' you don't have control over when it starts. If the interval is low it doesn't matter much, but with higher intervals you will notice a difference.
Another potential issue is for example if your spell repeats every second, but has a duration of 2.5 seconds. With your own timer it will trigger after 1 and 2 seconds, but with the other event it may run the first time after 0.3 seconds, then 1.3, then 2.3, so it will run three times, and at other times it will run only twice.

I believe the minimum time that the Periodic Interval event runs is every 0.03125 seconds.

It's actually 0.0001 seconds.

 

[Ugabunda]

Thanks you two. OK, will keep using timers I guess.

@Uncle Haa Jass.. yes, it's in my mind. I'm using Jass one-liners here and there (not the usual ones to prevent leaks) and might start with the simple spells. Similarly to how I started using the MUI instructions

 

[Uncle]

IMO it's better to use your own timers. With the 'every x seconds' you don't have control over when it starts. If the interval is low it doesn't matter much, but with higher intervals you will notice a difference.
Another potential issue is for example if your spell repeats every second, but has a duration of 2.5 seconds. With your own timer it will trigger after 1 and 2 seconds, but with the other event it may run the first time after 0.3 seconds, then 1.3, then 2.3, so it will run three times, and at other times it will run only twice.


It's actually 0.0001 seconds.

Ah, I had read that somewhere. Anyway, after testing it out it seems to work as intended at 0.01 second intervals but you're locked to using a minimum of 0.01 in GUI.

Maybe you can get around it with arithmetic or something, also I imagine in Jass you can set it to 0.0001 as you said.