How do I run a reoccurring function, in Dart?

You can use the Timer class to schedule one-shot and repeating functions.

Repeating

Here is how you run a repeating function:

import 'dart:async';
main() {
  const oneSec = Duration(seconds:1);
  Timer.periodic(oneSec, (Timer t) => print('hi!'));
}

The Timer takes two arguments, a duration and a function to run. The duration must be an instance of Duration. The callback must take a single parameter, the timer itself.

Canceling a repeating timer

Use timer.cancel() to cancel a repeating timer. This is one reason why timer is passed to the callback run from a repeating timer.

One-shot after a delay

To schedule a one-shot function after a delay (execute once, some time in the future):

import 'dart:async';
main() {
  const twentyMillis = Duration(milliseconds:20);
  Timer(twentyMillis, () => print('hi!'));
}

Notice the callback for a one-shot timer does not take a parameter.

One-shot as soon as possible

You can also request that a function is run as soon as possible, at least one event-loop tick in the future.

import 'dart:async';
main() {
  Timer.run(() => print('hi!'));
}

In HTML

Timers even work in HTML. In fact, window.setTimeout was removed, so Timer is the only way to run a function in the future.

5 Sec Timer Example

bool isStopped = false; //global

sec5Timer() {
  Timer.periodic(Duration(seconds: 5), (timer) {
    if (isStopped) {
      timer.cancel();
    }
    print("Dekhi 5 sec por por kisu hy ni :/");
  });
}

Call from any function

sec5Timer(); 

Stop from any function

isStopped = true;

To dispose you can use this code or technique.

 @override
  void initState() {
    _timer = new Timer.periodic(widget.refreshRate, 
      (Timer timer) => _updateDisplayTime(inheritedWidget));
    super.initState();
  }

  @override
  void dispose() {
    _timer.cancel();
    super.dispose();
  }