[whatwg] Timers

[Jerason Banes]

SetTimeout and setInterval are from the original Javascript specification,
pre-ECMA. That specification is not officially standardized anywhere, but it
is supported by all web browsers and most implementations of the Javascript
language. (Including ActionScript.)
The pre-ECMA specs are often known as the "DOM-0" APIs. Since they have
never been standardized before, it makes sense for HTML5 to finally spec the
non-deprecated APIs in an attempt to provide a consistent environment across
browsers. Especially when recent events have proven that there are companies
who like to implement the letter of the standard, but not the spirit.

You can read the earlier specs here:

http://docs.sun.com/source/816-6408-10/

Here's the spec for setTimeout and setInterval:

http://docs.sun.com/source/816-6408-10/window.htm#1203758
http://docs.sun.com/source/816-6408-10/window.htm#1203669

Hope that helps!

Thanks,
Jerason Banes
(Interested Observer of WHATWG Activities)


On Wed, May 6, 2009 at 8:07 AM, Jon Barnett <jonbarnett at gmail.com> wrote:

> Do setTimeout and setInterval belong in HTML 5?  They're not really DOM
> related.  They're supported by ActionScript, which doesn't have a DOM. AS
> supports the same signatures that HTML 5 does (plus another one).  HTML 5
> already says they're specific to Javascript/ECMAScript, so there's no need
> for other DOM implementations to support them.
>
> I searched the ES5 final draft and didn't see a reference to them
> anywhere.  Have they been considered for ECMAScript 5 or any version?
>
> I didn't find any discussion in the WHATWG archives.
>
>
> http://www.adobe.com/support/flash/action_scripts/actionscript_dictionary/actionscript_dictionary646.html
>
> --
> Jon Barnett
>
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