java: run a function after a specific number of seconds

I have a specific function that I want to be executed after 5 seconds. How can i do that in Java?

I found javax.swing.timer, but I can't really understand how to use it. It looks like I'm looking for something way simpler then this class provides.

Please add a simple usage example.

Solution 1:

new java.util.Timer().schedule( 
        new java.util.TimerTask() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                // your code here
            }
        }, 
        5000 
);

EDIT:

javadoc says:

After the last live reference to a Timer object goes away and all outstanding tasks have completed execution, the timer's task execution thread terminates gracefully (and becomes subject to garbage collection). However, this can take arbitrarily long to occur.

Solution 2:

Something like this:

// When your program starts up
ScheduledExecutorService executor = Executors.newSingleThreadScheduledExecutor();

// then, when you want to schedule a task
Runnable task = ....    
executor.schedule(task, 5, TimeUnit.SECONDS);

// and finally, when your program wants to exit
executor.shutdown();

There are various other factory methods on Executor which you can use instead, if you want more threads in the pool.

And remember, it's important to shutdown the executor when you've finished. The shutdown() method will cleanly shut down the thread pool when the last task has completed, and will block until this happens. shutdownNow() will terminate the thread pool immediately.

Solution 3:

Example of using javax.swing.Timer

Timer timer = new Timer(3000, new ActionListener() {
  @Override
  public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent arg0) {
    // Code to be executed
  }
});
timer.setRepeats(false); // Only execute once
timer.start(); // Go go go!

This code will only be executed once, and the execution happens in 3000 ms (3 seconds).

As camickr mentions, you should lookup "How to Use Swing Timers" for a short introduction.

Solution 4:

As a variation of @tangens answer: if you can't wait for the garbage collector to clean up your thread, cancel the timer at the end of your run method.

Timer t = new java.util.Timer();
t.schedule( 
        new java.util.TimerTask() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                // your code here
                // close the thread
                t.cancel();
            }
        }, 
        5000 
);

Solution 5:

My code is as follows:

new java.util.Timer().schedule(

    new java.util.TimerTask() {
        @Override
        public void run() {
            // your code here, and if you have to refresh UI put this code: 
           runOnUiThread(new   Runnable() {
                  public void run() {
                            //your code

                        }
                   });
        }
    }, 
    5000 
);