javascript loop exceeding call stack - javascript

I mostly use LUA and I've been trying to make something with JavaScript with some help from a friend, and I don't understand why this loop is exceeding the call stack.
var myVar;
(function loop() {
for (var x = 0, ln = 3; x < ln; x++) {
myVar = setTimeout(function(i) {
console.log(i);
}, x * 333, x);
clearTimeout(myVar);
}
loop();
}());

It looks like you are trying to make a recursive loop with a progressive delay. It works pretty much the same in JS as it does in other languages -- you set up an edge condition that stops the loop on a certain condition and then recurse. You can do that in a timeout. There's no need to clear it unless you had to stop a timeout already started. I would do it more like this:
var start = 0;
var ln = 3;
(function loop(i) {
if (i > ln) return // edge condition
setTimeout(() => {
console.log(i);
loop(i + 1); // recurse
}, i * 333, i);
})(start);

Related

fail to setTimeout in a for loop

I'm building a simon game. And after each round the player should see the moves he must play in the next round. So i created a function showMoves which flashes the square he has to play. The problem is that the function is not showing anything. Can anyone tell me what did i miss?
// the effect
function flasher(index) {
$(moves[index]).fadeIn(50).fadeOut(50).fadeIn(50).fadeOut(50).fadeIn(100);
}
var interval2;
// show the moves that supposed to be played
function showMoves() {
for (var i = 0; i < moves; i++) {
if (i === 0) {
interval2 = setTimeout(flasher(i), 1000);
} else {
interval2 = setTimeout(flasher(i), (i+1) * 1000);
}
}
}
setTimeout accepts a function as a first parameter. I assume that by calling flasher you tried to avoid this situation. In you case, this should be done like this:
function showMoves() {
for (var i = 0; i < moves; i++) {
if (i === 0) {
interval2 = setTimeout(function(i) {return function() {flasher(i)}}(i), 1000);
} else {
interval2 = setTimeout(function(i) {return function() {flasher(i)}}(i), (i+1) * 1000);
}
}
}
The setTimeout and setInterval are a little diffrent than we think about them.
They are save some event on specified times that will be fired in its times. Because of this they has a problem with loops:
for(i=0;i<3;i++)
{
setTimeout(function(){alert(i)}, i*1000);
}
after ending the loop the browser has 3 jobs to do:
alert(i) after 1 second
alert(i) after 2 seconds
alert(i) after 3 seconds
But what is the value of 'i'. If you are in c# programming after ending the loop 'i' will be disposed and we have not that.
But javascript does not dispose 'i' and we have it yet. So the browser set the current value for i that is 3. because when 'i' reaches to 3 loop goes end. Therefor Your browser do this:
alert(3) after 1 second
alert(3) after 2 seconds
alert(3) after 3 seconds
That is not what we want. But if change the above code to this:
for(i=0;i<3;i++){
(function (index)
{
setTimeout(function () { alert(index); }, i * 1000);
})(i);
}
We will have:
alert(0) after 1 second
alert(1) after 2 seconds
alert(2) after 3 seconds
So as Maximus said you mast make the browser to get value of i currently in loop. in this way:
setTimeout(function(i) {return function() {flasher(i)}}(i), (i+1) * 1000);
i does not leave out until end of loop and must be get value just now.
What I can derive from your code is that moves is an array, but you're using it as if it's an integer in the for loop. And that's why nothing happens at all.
Replace:
for (var i = 0; i < moves; i++) {
With:
for (var i = 0; i < moves.length; i++) {
And you should see things happening.
But you will notice flasher is called immediately, without timeout. And that's because the result of flasher is set to be called, instead of flasher itself.
Other answers here suggest using an wrapper function, but this requires workarounds to correctly pass the index to the function called by setTimeout.
So assuming that it doesn't have to run in IE8 and below, the following is the most concise solution:
setTimeout(flasher.bind(null, i), (i+1) * 1000)
Full working example:
var moves = [1, 2, 3, 4];
function flasher(index) {
console.log('move', moves[index]);
}
var interval2;
// show the moves that supposed to be played
function showMoves() {
for (var i = 0; i < moves.length; i++) {
interval2 = setTimeout(flasher.bind(null, i), (i+1) * 1000);
}
}
showMoves()

Javascript increment not working

Well I did not know what exactly would be a good title for this because it is a most peculiar situation or I'm abnormally dumb.
Here's what im trying to do.
Create a simple <meter> tag which is new in HTML5. The main issue is with my javascript. Im trying to increment the value of the meter tag gradually in my javascript. But somehow it doesn't work the way i want.
JavaScript.
for (var i = 0; i <= 10; i++) {
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
setTimeout(function () {
console.log(i);
a.value = i;
}, 250);
}
I'm trying to increase the value of the meter gradually every 250 ms.This doesn't happen. Instead the meter jumps straight to 10.
What interested me was the value of i that i got in the console. I got instances of 10, instead of 1,2,3...10.
Why does this happen?
FIDDLE
It's a JavaScript closures' classic. Here i is an actual reference to the variable, not its copy. After you've iterated through the loop it has the value of 10, that's why all log invocations write 10 to log.
This should work better:
for (var i = 0; i <= 10; i++) {
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
setTimeout(function (i) {
return function() {
console.log(i);
a.value = i;
};
}(i), 250 * i);
}
Here the most inner i is the setTimeout's callback argument, not the variable which you've declared in the loop body.
You should read more about closures in JavaScript. When a variable gets closed over, it's the same exact variable, not a copy. Since setTimeout is asynchronous, the whole loop finishes before any of the functions run, therefore the i variable will be 10 everywhere.
DEMO
function incMtrAsync(max, delay, el) {
if (el.value++ < max) {
setTimeout(incMtrAsync.bind(null, max, delay, el), delay);
}
}
incMtrAsync(10, 250, document.getElementById("mtr1"));
The above implementation implements the loop using a recursive approach. Everytime inMtrAsync is called, it checks if the value of the meter reached the max value, and if not, registers another timeout with a callback to itself.
If you want to delay the initial increment as well, just wrap the first call in another timeout.
setTimeout(incMtrAsync.bind(null, 10, 250, document.getElementById("mtr1")), 250);
Nobody used setInterval, so here's my solution ( http://jsfiddle.net/Qh6gb/4/) :
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
var i = 0;
var interval = setInterval(function () {
console.log(i);
a.value = ++i;
if (i == 10) {
clearInterval(interval);
}
}, 250);
The problem you describe happens before the asyncronous call to setTimeout in your original version sees a value of 10 for i because that is its value at the moment the callback is executed.
So, this is a problem with the scope of the closure, to make it work you should make it like this:
for (var i = 0; i <= 10; i++) {
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
(function (i, a) {
setTimeout(function () {
console.log(i);
a.value = i;
}, 250);
})(i, a);
}
also, since a is always the same, this should be better:
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
for (var i = 0; i <= 10; i++) {
(function (i) {
setTimeout(function () {
console.log(i);
a.value = i;
}, 250);
})(i);
}
If then you want to see the counter "ticking up", this will make it visible:
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
for (var i = 0; i <= 10; i++) {
(function (i) {
setTimeout(function () {
console.log(i);
a.value = i;
}, 1000 * i);
})(i);
}
See http://jsfiddle.net/LDt4d/
It happens because you called setTimeout, which is "asynchronous". So setTimeout is called 10times but after whole loop is done then it is executed. Therefore, i = 10 in each call...
http://jsfiddle.net/Qh6gb/9/
there is the solution:
var i = 1,
meter = document.getElementById("mtr1");
function increase() {
meter.value = i++;
console.log(i);
if(i<=10) {
setTimeout(increase, 250);
}
}
setTimeout(increase, 250);
you can use timeout jquery plugin:. It is easier
However you should calculate your timeout ,
For you ,timeout=250*max=250*10=2500
So
$('meter').timeout(2500);
Demo
Run for loop inside the function instead of declaring a closure in every step of the loop.
JSFIDDLE: http://jsfiddle.net/Qh6gb/3/
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
setTimeout(function () {
for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
console.log(i);
a.value = i;
}
}, 250);
I hope I understand right. Please try and tell me if you got solution.
var count = 0;
function increment(){
document.getElementById("meter").value = count;
count++;
if(count ==10)
count=0;
}
setInterval(increment, 250);
Please check with jsFiddle
You're creating multiple functions that are all being set off at the same time.
Multiply the timer by i for correct delay.
for (var i = 0; i <= 10; i++) {
var a = document.getElementById("mtr1");
setTimeout(function () {
console.log(i);
a.value = i;
}, 250 * i);
}

Node.js: how to loop through handling incoming data?

I have received this comment:
On the server side of Node.js when handling incoming data if you want to use a for loop you have to create i inside an anonymous function or you will pull your hair out wondering how the hell your variable i is greater than what you limit it to be inside your loop.
Here is the bugfix that was recommended:
var i = 0,
len = that.users.length;
(function(i) {
while(i < len) {
console.log(' - - - - - debug - - - - -');
console.log('i = ' + i );
i++;
}
})(i);
Can someone explain to me why using an anonymous function is necessary?
The problem only shows up when you have asynchronous code inside the loop. For example (I changed to a for loop for simplicity):
var i = 0,
len = that.users.length;
for(i = 0;i < len;i++) {
setTimeout(function() {
console.log('i = ' + i );
}, 500);
}
You will find that running this code causes the value of len to be printed len times, instead of a count up to len. This is because the for loop finishes before any of the print statements run, so the loop has exited because i == len.
The fix for this is to lock i in to each value with an Immediately-Invoked Function Expression (IIFE):
var i = 0,
len = that.users.length;
for(i = 0;i < len;i++) {
(function(i) {
setTimeout(function() {
console.log('i = ' + i );
}, 500);
})(i);
}
This isn't exactly the bugfix you presented, but it is the closest I can think of that makes much sense. Given more context, I could be more sure about what problem it is supposed to solve.

Can't manage to sleep inside a loop

I want to pause 1 second for every time it loops, it is usually easy to do similar pauses on other cases, but when working with loops, it seems it get harder:
for (var i=0 ; i < 10 ; i++) {
document.write (i + "<br>");
// I want to wait 1 second here
}
This is one example of my thousands failed attempts:
function writeMsg (index) {
document.write (index + "<br>");
}
for (var i=0 ; i < 10 ; i++) {
setTimeout (writeMsg(i), 1000);
}
Any ideas of how to get this to work?
This function works more like a normal for loop while it isn't
You need to take into account that a for gets 3 arguments inbetween semicolons.
Before starting (ie var i=0 you define a variable)
A condition before running the code again (ie i < 10 while i is under 10)
An action everytime it finishes the code again (i++ add one to i)
Code
(function() {
// Define a variable
var i = 0,
action = function() {
// Condition to run again
if (i < 10) {
document.write(i + "<br>");
// Add one to i
i++;
setTimeout(action, 1000);
}
};
setTimeout(action, 1000);
})();
Here is a jsfiddle for this code demonstrating its working:
http://jsfiddle.net/sg3s/n9BNQ/
You pass the return value of a function call to setTimeout instead of a function. Try the following code:
for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
(function(i) {
setTimeout(function() {
writeMsg(i);
}, 1000*i);
})(i);
}
In case you wonder why the call is wrapped inside an anonymous function: Without that function each setTimeout callback would receive the same i so when the callbacks fire it would always be 10. The anonymous function creates a new i inside that is not connected to the loop variable.
Classic function-in-a-loop problem. One archetypal solution:
function createCallback(i) {
return function () {
writeMsg(i);
};
}
function writeMsg (index) {
document.write (index + "<br>");
}
for (var i=0 ; i < 10 ; i++) {
setTimeout (createCallback(i), 1000*i);
}
The 10 timeouts are all based on the time that setTimeout() is called. So, they are all triggered at the same time.
for (var i=0; i < 10; i++) {
(function(idx){
setTimeout(function(){
document.write(idx+"<br/>");
},1000*idx);
})(i);
};
try this it will definitely help who all are think how to make it work wait property inside For Loop...
try this code in this URL http://www.shopjustice.com/the-collections/C-10329.
var var2;
var tmp;
var evt;
var i=0;
var res = document.getElementsByClassName('mar-plp-filter-content nav nav--stacked')[0].children.length;
tmp = document.getElementsByClassName('mar-plp-filter-content nav nav--stacked')[0].children;
function myfunc()
{
if(i<res)
{
var2 = tmp[i].getElementsByTagName("span")[0].getElementsByClassName("inverted")[0];
// alert(var2.innerHTML);
var evObj = document.createEvent('MouseEvents');
evObj.initEvent( 'mouseover', true, false );
var2.dispatchEvent(evObj);
var2.style.backgroundColor="GREEN";
i++;
setTimeout(myfunc,3000);
}
};
setTimeout(myfunc,3000);

Create a JavaScript loop without while

I am trying to create a page which needs to preform lots of loops. Using a while/for loops cause the page to hang until the loop completes and it is possible in this case that the loop could be running for hours. I have also tried using setTimeout, but that hits a recursion limit. How do I prevent the page from reaching a recursion limit?
var looper = {
characters: 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz',
current: [0],
target: '',
max: 25,
setHash: function(hash) {
this.target = hash;
this.max = this.characters.length;
},
getString: function() {
string = '';
for (letter in this.current) {
string += this.characters[this.current[letter]];
}
return string;
},
hash: function() {
return Sha1.hash(this.getString());
},
increment: function() {
this.current[0] += 1;
if (this.current[0] > this.max) {
if (this.current.length == 1) {
this.current = [0, 0];
} else {
this.current[1] += 1;
this.current[0] = 0;
}
}
if (this.current[1] > this.max) {
if (this.current.length == 2) {
this.current[2] == 0;
} else {
this.current[3] += 1;
this.current[2] = 0;
}
}
},
loop: function() {
if (this.hash() == this.target) {
alert(this.getString());
} else {
this.increment();
setTimeout(this.loop(), 1);
}
}
}
setInterval is the usual way, but you could also try web workers, which would be a more straightforward refactoring of your code than setInterval but would only work on HTML5 browsers.
http://dev.w3.org/html5/workers/
Your setTimeout is not doing what you think it's doing. Here's what it's doing:
It encounters this statement:
setTimeout(this.loop(), 1);
It evaluates the first argument to setTimeout, this.loop(). It calls loop right there; it does not wait for a millisecond as you likely expected.
It calls setTimeout like this:
setTimeout(undefined, 1);
In theory, anyway. In reality, the second step never completes; it recurses indefinitely. What you need to do is pass a reference to the function rather than the returned value of the function:
setTimeout(this.loop, 1);
However, then this will be window on the next loop, not looper. Bind it, instead:
setTimeout(this.loop.bind(this), 1);
setInterval might work. It calls a function every certain amount of milliseconds.
For Example
myInterval = setInterval(myFunction,5000);
That will call your function (myFunction) every 5 seconds.
why not have a loop checker using setInterval?
var loopWorking = false;
function looper(){
loopWorking = true;
//Do stuff
loopWorking = false;
}
function checkLooper()
{
if(loopWorking == false)
looper();
}
setInterval(checkLooper, 100); //every 100ms or lower. Can reduce down to 1ms
If you want to avoid recursion then don't call this.loop() from inside of this.loop(). Instead use window.setInterval() to call the loop repeatedly.
I had to hand-code continuation passing style in google-code prettify.
Basically I turned
for (var i = 0, n = arr.length; i < n; ++i) {
processItem(i);
}
done();
into
var i = 0, n = arr.length;
function work() {
var t0 = +new Date;
while (i < n) {
processItem(i);
++i;
if (new Date - t0 > 100) {
setTimeout(work, 250);
return;
}
}
done();
}
work();
which doesn't hit any recursion limit since there are no recursive function calls.

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