Async

Utils

SetTimeout

Spawns an asynchronous task (a wrapper over SchelduleTask), that evaluates an expression once

SetTimeout[expr_, interval_Real] _TaskObject

A symbol has HoldFirst attribute. An interval is in milliseconds. To cancel it, use

CancelTimeout[_TaskObject]

SetInterval

Spawns an asynchronous task (a wrapper over SchelduleTask), that evaluates an expression every interval milliseconds

SetInterval[expr_, interval_Real] _TaskObject

A symbol has HoldFirst attribute. To cancel this task use

TaskRemove[_TaskObject]

or

CancelInterval[_TaskObject]

PauseAsync

Works similar to Pause, but returns Promise

Then[PauseAsync[3], Beep];

Asynchronous Functions

AsyncFunction

It works similar to Function

AsyncFunction[args, body] _Promise

One can use it as normal function, but utilizing Await keyword. On the background it restructures body in the runtime.

Await

Holds the execution (non blocking to threads) until the promise is resolved and returns the result

Await[_ | _Promise] _

If the argument is not Promise it won't pause the execution and return the result without changes.

The following constructions are supported with Await:

• Set
• CompoundExpression
• If
• Module, With
• _Symbol or any other singular expressions

What is not supported

• Loops: While, For, Do
• Tables and maps: Map, Table

For example:

btn = InputButton[]

Then[AsyncFunction[x, Module[{res},
  Speak["Click to start"];
  btn // Await;
  Speak["Choose"];
  res = ChoiceDialogAsync["Add 10?"] // Await;
  If[res, x + 10, x] 
]][10], Speak];