Various questions...

[Ryanitus]

I am trying to develop a program that does specific actions at certain intervals of time. I have been using a Timer control set at a 1 second interval and using a variable to store the number of seconds, then I compare it to the length of time that I want the actions to take place. (that sounds confusing) Is there a way to base my actions off the time of the computer rather than using a Timer control?

Also, what is the best way to restrict the user from clicking buttons while actions are happening? (Like when a program is loading or performing a large function) I have tried changing the mouse cursor to the hourglass and disabling the form, but it did not yeild the results I wanted.

I would appreciated any information that might be helpful. Thanks!

Ryan

[Captain Nuss]

I think using a timer control is the easiest way to do some actions in certain intervals of time. You can easily check if an action is to happen:

Dim seconds as Long

Sub timer1_Timer()
'Task execution may last some time so disable timer so long
timer1.Enabled = false

'A task happening every 5 seconds
If seconds Mod 5 = 0 then
'Do whatever task 1 does
End If
If seconds Mod 7 = 0 then
'Do whatever task 2 does
End If
...

'let the timer continue
timer1.Enabled = true
End Sub



You'll just have to do something to prevent seconds from getting larger than a Long variable may be.
And the best way of preventing the user from pressing a button would be to set button.Enabled = false

.

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[ZMeister]

As to the second part of your question regarding stoping user interaction there are a few ways depending on the situation.

Upon Loading the program use a splash screen to not show your main form until necessary. That is use a Sub Main function with a splash screen..

While the Hourglass is a good indicator that the user shouldnt do anything it will allow some user interaction. Many times it is necessary to disable controls that may interfere with long functions. And re-enable them when the operation is finished.

The progress bar also reinforces this to the user..

I prefer to keep long operations off the forms and into modules or dlls..

The main problem I have is when the user WANTS interaction in a long operation. Then I resort to the DO legacy function, which i cant get around in VB...