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Stopwatch in react and useInterval

I am trying to create a stop watch using react and set interval but do not understand why count variable is always 0 is it being reset to default state. I thought since state takes some time to update hence count was always 0 but even if i increase the set interval timer it shows the same value.
Through i am trying to understand how react hooks work if someone can shed some light on functioning of hooks or redirect me to necessary links please do so
code is working in case i replace setCount(count+1) to setCount(prevCount=>prevCount+1) also you need to declare intervalId outside of app function
import "./styles.css";
import { useState } from "react";
export default function App() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
let intervalId = -1;
const increment = () => {
console.log(count);
setCount(count + 1);
};
const handleStart = () => {
if (intervalId === -1)
intervalId = setInterval(() => {
// console.log("called");
increment();
}, 1000);
};
const handleStop = () => {
clearInterval(intervalId);
setCount(0);
};
const handlePause = () => {
clearInterval(intervalId);
};
const handleResume = () => {
handleStart();
};
return (
<div className="App">
<div className="counter">{count}</div>
<button onClick={handleStart} className="counter">
start
</button>
<button onClick={handleStop} className="counter">
stop
</button>
<button onClick={handlePause} className="counter">
pause
</button>
<button onClick={handleResume} className="counter">
resume
</button>
</div>
);
}

I'm by no means a React expert, but I watched this talk before and found it very enlightening, and I recommend you watch it too.
I also recommend you watch the first part, but the timestamp I linked is more relevant to your question.
Now in the official react docs here, they say:
If the new state is computed using the previous state, you can pass a function to setState. The function will receive the previous value, and return an updated value.
So, as you noticed with prevCount, it works when you do it that.
In this blog post, the writer explains that:
if you increment the count value as follows setCount(count + 1)
The the count will stuck at 0 + 1 = 1 because the variable count value when setInterval() is called is 0.
So we know that we need the previous state. If you follow the blog post, he does set up a working counter.
The way the code is right now will create an interval for each click since the intervalID gets set to -1 with each update. So, similar to the blogpost, we can have the interval ID as a state. Here's your stopwatch using that approach:
CodeSandbox
import "./styles.css";
import { useState } from "react";
export default function App() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
const [intervalID, setIntervalID] = useState(0);
const handleStart = () => {
if (!intervalID) {
let interval = setInterval(() => setCount(prevCount => prevCount + 1), 1000);
setIntervalID(interval)
}
};
const handlePause = () => {
if (intervalID){
clearInterval(intervalID)
setIntervalID(0)
}
};
const handleStop = () => {
handlePause();
setCount(0)
};
const handleResume = () => {
handleStart();
};
return (
<div className="App">
<div className="counter">{count}</div>
<button onClick={handleStart} className="counter">
start
</button>
<button onClick={handleStop} className="counter">
stop
</button>
<button onClick={handlePause} className="counter">
pause
</button>
<button onClick={handleResume} className="counter">
resume
</button>
</div>
);
}
But this way, we have no way to clear the interval after unmounting the component. So we'll need useEffect(). And since we're using useEffect(), (check why here). And now, instead of saving our intervalID as the state, we can instead have an isRunning state and have useEffect create or clear the interval every time isRunning changes. So now all our handlers have to do is setIsRunning and useEffect will handle the rest.
So the code will look like this:
CodeSandbox
import "./styles.css";
import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
export default function App() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
const [isRunning, setIsRunning] = useState(0);
useEffect(()=> {
let intervalId;
if (isRunning) {
intervalId = setInterval(() => setCount(prevCount => prevCount + 1), 1000);
} else {
clearInterval(intervalId)
}
return () => clearInterval(intervalId) // Clear after unmounting
}, [isRunning])
const handleStart = () => {
setIsRunning(true);
};
const handleStop = () => {
setIsRunning(false);
setCount(0)
};
const handlePause = () => {
setIsRunning(false);
};
const handleResume = () => {
handleStart();
};
return (
<div className="App">
<div className="counter">{count}</div>
<button onClick={handleStart} className="counter">
start
</button>
<button onClick={handleStop} className="counter">
stop
</button>
<button onClick={handlePause} className="counter">
pause
</button>
<button onClick={handleResume} className="counter">
resume
</button>
</div>
);
}
I really recommend you watch the talk I linked in the beginning. I'm sure you'll find it very helpful in terms of using hooks and some of the issues you can face and how to fix them.

clearInterval not working in React Application using functional component

I wanted to build a timer application in React using functional component and below are the requirements.
The component will display a number initialized to 0 know as counter.
The component will display a Start button below the counter number.
On clicking the Start button the counter will start running. This means the counter number will start incrementing by 1 for every one second.
When the counter is running(incrementing), the Start button will become the Pause button.
On clicking the Pause button, the counter will preserve its value (number) but stops running(incrementing).
The component will also display a Reset button.
On clicking the Reset button, the counter will go to its initial value(which is 0 in our case) and stops running(incrementing).
Below is the code that I have implemented, but clearInterval doesn't seems to be working, Also how do i implement Reset Button?
Code:
import React, { useState, useEffect } from "react";
export default function Counter() {
const [counter, setCounter] = useState(0);
const [flag, setFlag] = useState(false);
const [isClicked, setClicked] = useState(false);
var myInterval;
function incrementCounter() {
setClicked(!isClicked);
if (flag) {
myInterval = setInterval(
() => setCounter((counter) => counter + 1),
1000
);
setFlag(false);
} else {
console.log("sasdsad");
clearInterval(myInterval);
}
}
function resetCounter() {
clearInterval(myInterval);
setCounter(0);
}
useEffect(() => {
setFlag(true);
}, []);
return (
<div>
<p>{counter}</p>
<button onClick={incrementCounter}>
{isClicked ? "Pause" : "Start"}
</button>
<button onClick={resetCounter}>Reset</button>
</div>
);
}
Codesandbox link:
CodeSandbox

I did a slightly different version that use an extra useEffect that runs on isRunning (changed name from flag) change:
import React, { useState, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
export default function Counter() {
const [counter, setCounter] = useState(0);
// Change initial value to `false` if you don't want
// to have timer running on load
// Changed `flag` name to more significant name
const [isRunning, setIsRunning] = useState(false);
// You don't need 2 variable for this
//const [isClicked, setClicked] = useState(false);
// Using `useRef` to store a reference to the interval
const myInterval = useRef();
useEffect(() => {
// You had this line to start timer on load
// but you can just set the initial state to `true`
//setFlag(true);
// Clear time on component dismount
return () => clearInterval(myInterval.current);
}, []);
// useEffect that start/stop interval on flag change
useEffect(() => {
if (isRunning) {
myInterval.current = setInterval(
() => setCounter((counter) => counter + 1),
1000
);
} else {
clearInterval(myInterval.current);
myInterval.current = null;
}
}, [isRunning]);
// Now on click you only change the flag
function toggleTimer() {
setIsRunning((isRunning) => !isRunning);
}
function resetCounter() {
clearInterval(myInterval.current);
myInterval.current = null;
setCounter(0);
setIsRunning(false);
}
return (
<div>
<p>{counter}</p>
<button onClick={toggleTimer}>{isRunning ? "Pause" : "Start"}</button>
<button onClick={resetCounter}>Reset</button>
</div>
);
}
Demo: https://codesandbox.io/s/dank-night-wwxqz3?file=/src/Counter.js
As a little extra i've made a version that uses a custom hook useTimer. In this way the component code is way cleaner:
https://codesandbox.io/s/agitated-curie-nkjf62?file=/src/Counter.js

Use useRef to make the interval as a ref. Then use resetCounter() to clean the interval ref.
const intervalRef = useRef(null)
const incrementCounter = () => {
intervalRef.current = setInterval(() => {
setCounter(prevState => prevState + 1)
}, 1000);
};
const resetCounter = () => {
clearInterval(intervalRef.current);
intervalRef.current = null;
};

Between each rendering your variable myInterval value doesn't survive. That's why you need to use the [useRef][1] hook that save the reference of this variable across each rendering.
Besides, you don't need an flag function, as you have all information with the myClicked variable
Here is a modification of your code with those modifications. Don't hesitate if you have any question.
import React, { useState, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
export default function Counter() {
const [counter, setCounter] = useState(0);
const [isStarted, setIsStarted] = useState(false);
const myInterval = useRef();
function start() {
setIsStarted(true);
myInterval.current = setInterval(() => setCounter((counter) => counter + 1), 100);
100;
}
function pause() {
setIsStarted(false);
clearInterval(myInterval.current);
}
function resetCounter() {
clearInterval(myInterval.current);
setCounter(0);
}
return (
<div>
<p>{counter}</p>
{!isStarted ?
<button onClick={start}>
Start
</button>
:
<button onClick={pause}>
Pause
</button>
}
<button onClick={resetCounter}>Reset</button>
</div>
);
}
\\\
[1]: https://reactjs.org/docs/hooks-reference.html#useref

I'll just leave this here for anyone having the same problem.
in my case, the issue was node setInterval was used instead of window.setInterval.
this is a problem since this returns a type of Node.Timer which is an object instead of number (setInterval ID) for the clearInterval() to work as it needs an argument type of number. so to fix this,
React.useEffect(() => {
let timeoutId;
timeoutId = window.setInterval(callback, 100);
return = () => {
if(timeoutId) clearInterval(timeoutId)
}
}, [])
or in class components use componentWillMount()

You have to store myInterval in state. After that when button is clicked and flag is false, you can clear interval (myInterval in state).

Preventing page from refreshing/reloading-ReactJS

I've built a countdown counter using React hooks, but while I was comparing its accuracy with its vanilla JS counterpart (I was displaying their current timer on the document title, i.e., I was active on a third tab), I noticed that the react timer stopped after awhile , and when I opened the tab, the page refreshed and the timer reset to its initial state, while this didn't/doesn't happen in the vanilla JS version. I would like to mention that I opened maybe 15 YouTube videos, because I want the timer to be working while doing heavy duty work on my machine. How can I prevent this from happening?
Here is the code
App.js
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import convertTime from '../helper-functions/convertTime';
import useInterval from '../hooks/useInterval';
const Countdown = () => {
const [count, setCount] = useState(82.5 * 60);
const [delay, setDelay] = useState(1000);
const [isPlaying, setIsPlaying] = useState(false);
document.title = convertTime(count);
useInterval(() => setCount(count - 1), isPlaying ? delay : null);
const handlePlayClick = () => setIsPlaying(true);
const handlePauseClick = () => setIsPlaying(false);
const handleResetClick = () => {
setCount(82.5 * 60);
setDelay(1000);
setIsPlaying(false);
};
return (
<div className='counter'>
<div className='time'>{convertTime(count)}</div>
<div className='actions'>
<button onClick={handlePlayClick}>play</button>
<button onClick={handlePauseClick}>pause</button>
<button onClick={handleResetClick}>reset</button>
</div>
</div>
);
};
export default Countdown;
useInterval.js
import React, { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
function useInterval(callback, delay) {
const savedCallback = useRef();
// Remember the latest callback.
useEffect(() => {
savedCallback.current = callback;
}, [callback]);
// Set up the interval.
useEffect(() => {
function tick() {
savedCallback.current();
}
if (delay !== null) {
let id = setInterval(tick, delay);
return () => clearInterval(id);
}
}, [delay]);
}
export default useInterval;

Countdown timer using React Hooks

So the timer works. If I hard code this.state with a specific countdown number, the timer begins counting down once the page loads. I want the clock to start counting down on a button click and have a function which changes the null of the state to a randomly generated number. I am a bit new to React. I am know that useState() only sets the initial value but if I am using a click event, how do I reset useState()? I have been trying to use setCountdown(ranNum) but it crashes my app. I am sure the answer is obvious but I am just not finding it.
If I didnt provide enough code, please let me know. I didn't want to post the whole shebang.
here is my code:
import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
export const Timer = ({ranNum, timerComplete}) => {
const [ countDown, setCountdown ] = useState(ranNum)
useEffect(() => {
setTimeout(() => {
countDown - 1 < 0 ? timerComplete() : setCountdown(countDown - 1)
}, 1000)
}, [countDown, timerComplete])
return ( <p >Countdown: <span>{ countDown }</span> </p> )
}
handleClick(){
let newRanNum = Math.floor(Math.random() * 20);
this.generateStateInputs(newRanNum)
let current = this.state.currentImg;
let next = ++current % images.length;
this.setState({
currentImg: next,
ranNum: newRanNum
})
}
<Timer ranNum={this.state.ranNum} timerComplete={() => this.handleComplete()} />
<Button onClick={this.handleClick} name='Generate Inputs' />
<DisplayCount name='Word Count: ' count={this.state.ranNum} />

You should store countDown in the parent component and pass it to the child component. In the parent component, you should use a variable to trigger when to start Timer.
You can try this:
import React from "react";
export default function Timer() {
const [initialTime, setInitialTime] = React.useState(0);
const [startTimer, setStartTimer] = React.useState(false);
const handleOnClick = () => {
setInitialTime(5);
setStartTimer(true);
};
React.useEffect(() => {
if (initialTime > 0) {
setTimeout(() => {
console.log("startTime, ", initialTime);
setInitialTime(initialTime - 1);
}, 1000);
}
if (initialTime === 0 && startTimer) {
console.log("done");
setStartTimer(false);
}
}, [initialTime, startTimer]);
return (
<div>
<buttononClick={handleOnClick}>
Start
</button>
<Timer initialTime={initialTime} />
</div>
);
}
const Timer = ({ initialTime }) => {
return <div>CountDown: {initialTime}</div>;
};

useState sets the initial value just like you said, but in your case I don't think you want to store the countDown in the Timer. The reason for it is that ranNum is undefined when you start the application, and gets passed down to the Timer as undefined. When Timer mounts, useEffect will be triggered with the value undefined which is something you don't want since it will trigger the setTimeout. I believe that you can store countDown in the parent of the Timer, start the timeout when the button is clicked from the parent and send the countDown value to the Timer as a prop which would make the component way easier to understand.

Here is a simple implementation using hooks and setInterval
import React, {useState, useEffect, useRef} from 'react'
import './styles.css'
const STATUS = {
STARTED: 'Started',
STOPPED: 'Stopped',
}
export default function CountdownApp() {
const [secondsRemaining, setSecondsRemaining] = useState(getRandomNum())
const [status, setStatus] = useState(STATUS.STOPPED)
const handleStart = () => {
setStatus(STATUS.STARTED)
}
const handleStop = () => {
setStatus(STATUS.STOPPED)
}
const handleRandom = () => {
setStatus(STATUS.STOPPED)
setSecondsRemaining(getRandomNum())
}
useInterval(
() => {
if (secondsRemaining > 0) {
setSecondsRemaining(secondsRemaining - 1)
} else {
setStatus(STATUS.STOPPED)
}
},
status === STATUS.STARTED ? 1000 : null,
// passing null stops the interval
)
return (
<div className="App">
<h1>React Countdown Demo</h1>
<button onClick={handleStart} type="button">
Start
</button>
<button onClick={handleStop} type="button">
Stop
</button>
<button onClick={handleRandom} type="button">
Random
</button>
<div style={{padding: 20}}>{secondsRemaining}</div>
<div>Status: {status}</div>
</div>
)
}
function getRandomNum() {
return Math.floor(Math.random() * 20)
}
// source: https://overreacted.io/making-setinterval-declarative-with-react-hooks/
function useInterval(callback, delay) {
const savedCallback = useRef()
// Remember the latest callback.
useEffect(() => {
savedCallback.current = callback
}, [callback])
// Set up the interval.
useEffect(() => {
function tick() {
savedCallback.current()
}
if (delay !== null) {
let id = setInterval(tick, delay)
return () => clearInterval(id)
}
}, [delay])
}
Here is a link to a codesandbox demo: https://codesandbox.io/s/react-countdown-demo-random-c9dm8?file=/src/App.js

Timer App using React: setInterval is getting cleared after every render

I am trying to create a simple timer app that will start to increment seconds on a button click. I am implementing this using react hooks.
import React, { useState } from 'react'
function Timer() {
const [seconds, setSeconds] = useState(0);
const startTimer = () => {
let timerID = setInterval(setSeconds((prevState) => prevState + 1), 1000);
};
return (
<>
<p> Seconds {seconds}</p>
<button onClick={startTimer}> Start Timer </button>
</>
);
}
export default Timer;
The setInterval function is getting cleared after every render. Ideally it should continue to run until explicitly cleared.
The seconds state increments only once for each click of start timer button.

The setInterval method expects a function to call. You invoke setSeconds, which increment the seconds by 1 immediately, but setInterval can't call it again, since it's not a function. Wrap the expression with an arrow function:
() => setSeconds((prevState) => prevState + 1)
Example:
const { useState, Fragment } = React;
function Timer() {
const [seconds, setSeconds] = useState(0);
const startTimer = () => {
let timerID = setInterval(
() => setSeconds((prevState) => prevState + 1) // pass an arrow function that calls setSeconds
, 100);
}
return (
<Fragment>
<p> Seconds {seconds}</p>
<button onClick={startTimer}> Start Timer </button>
</Fragment>
)
}
ReactDOM.render(
<Timer />,
root
)
<script crossorigin src="https://unpkg.com/react#16/umd/react.development.js"></script>
<script crossorigin src="https://unpkg.com/react-dom#16/umd/react-dom.development.js"></script>
<div id="root"></div>
Notes:
You should save timerID in a ref, so you can clear it
Clear the interval (and set seconds to 0) whenever the Start Timer button is clicked, so you won't have multiple running timers
Clear the interval when the component is unmounted with useEffect

setInterval need a function as a first parameter
To avoid memory leak, you need to clear previous interval
import ReactDOM from "react-dom";
import React, { useState, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
function Timer() {
const [seconds, setSeconds] = useState(0);
const timerId = useRef(null);
useEffect(() => {
return () => stopTimer();
}, []);
const startTimer = () => {
stopTimer();
timerId.current = setInterval(
() => setSeconds(prevState => prevState + 1),
1000
);
};
const stopTimer = () => {
if (timerId.current != null) {
clearInterval(timerId.current);
}
};
return (
<>
<p> Seconds {seconds}</p>
<button onClick={startTimer}> Start Timer </button>
</>
);
}
const rootElement = document.getElementById("root");
ReactDOM.render(<Timer />, rootElement);
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/react/16.6.3/umd/react.production.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/react-dom/16.6.3/umd/react-dom.production.min.js"></script>