When should you use setTimeout vs setInterval in JavaScript?
Use setTimeout for one-off delayed actions, recursive setTimeout for self-correcting intervals, and setInterval for simple repeating actions where exact timing is not critical. Use requestAnimationFrame for visual animations.
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More FAQs in setTimeout vs setInterval in JavaScript
setTimeout runs the callback once after a delay. setInterval runs the callback repeatedly at a fixed interval until clearInterval is called. setTimeout is for one-off actions; setInterval is for repeating actions.
Because setInterval schedules the next call from the start of the interval, not from when the callback finishes. If the callback takes longer than the interval, calls can overlap or queue up, and the timing is not exact.
Use recursive setTimeout: schedule the next call at the end of the callback. This guarantees the interval is at least the specified delay between the end of one call and the start of the next.
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