We can delay a function call in JavaScript through scheduling, which allows us to execute the function at a certain time later.

There are two methods to get this done:

• setTimeout - execute a function once after certain time (in milliseconds)
• setInterval - execute a function repeatedly at the provided interval of time (in milliseconds)

Example - setTimeout with 5 seconds

delay() {
   console.log('Regular call.');
   let delayTimer = setTimeout(() => { console.log('Delayed call.') }, 5000);
}

Example - setInterval with 5 seconds

delay() {
   console.log('Regular call.');
   let delayInterval = setInterval(() => { console.log('Delayed call.') }, 5000);
}

We can use the following methods to cancel the setTimeout and setInterval:

• clearTimeout - clears the timeout set by setTimeout()
• clearInterval - clears the interval set by setInterval()

Example - clearTimeout

delay() {
   console.log('Regular call.');
   let delayTimer = setTimeout(() => { console.log('Delayed call.') }, 5000);
   clearTimeout(delayTimer); // Cancels the delayTimer
}

Example - clearInterval

delay() {
   console.log('Regular call.');
   let delayInterval = setInterval(() => { console.log('Delayed call.') }, 5000);
   clearInterval(delayInterval); // Cancels the delayInterval
}

Keep in mind!

• The default delay is 0 second
• 1000 ms = 1 second