Timer update inside while loop & if statement?

Question

I'm building my first timer in Python and looking into time module. This is what I want:

Inside while loop, when the if condition "A" is true for the first time, start timer
When 10 seconds has passed, trigger an event
When 30 seconds has passed, clear timer so that it's ready to start again when if condition "A" is true

I feel like I have all the building blocks but still cannot get my head around for starting the 10 second timer. In pseudocode, I want this:

if current_time - the_time_from_first_if_statement_match > 10:
        do something

This is what I have now. Any help appreciated!

def main():

start_time = time.time() 
time_limit = 10

while True:
   current_time = time.time() #keeps updating
   matchresult = video_process.match

   if matchresult == True:
      elapsed_time = current_time - start_time #can be anything like 14 or 100 at this point, I'd just want a 10 sec timer

      if elapsed_time > time_limit:
         print("do something")

This will print "do something" after 10 seconds. (assuming matchresult is true) and keeps doing so forever. How are you trying to solve Step #3? — Scott Hunter
– Scott Hunter, Commented Mar 29, 2022 at 15:01
@ScottHunter The problem with the current code is that elapsed_time can be 100 or 1000 when matchresult is true for the first time (it's an interactive piece that waits for people to come and interact). That means that elapsed_time is immediately more than time_limit in that case and no 10 sec timer is created. Step 3 I haven't tried yet before solving my first problem! — vjuss
– vjuss, Commented Mar 29, 2022 at 16:21

Scott Hunter · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-29 16:32:39Z

1

Something along these lines:

while True:
    while not condition:
        ...
    start_time = ...
    while elapsed_time < 10:
        ...
    do_something
    while elapsed_time < 30:
        ...

answered Mar 29, 2022 at 16:32

Scott Hunter

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Comments

toolic · Accepted Answer · 2025-02-10 12:34:42Z

-1

while True:
    if not paused:
        # Update timer
        elapsed_time = int(time.time() - start_time)
        remaining_time = max(0, time_limit - elapsed_time)
        timer_display.clear()
        timer_display.write(f"Time: {remaining_time}", font=("Arial", 16, "normal"))

        # End game if time runs out
        if remaining_time <= 0:
            end_game("Time's up! Game Over!")
            break

        # Move whale and fishes
        move_whale()
        move_fishes()

        # Check for speed boost expiration
        if speed_boost_active and time.time() > speed_boost_end_time:
            speed_boost_active = False

        # Check for invincibility expiration
        if invincibility_active and time.time() > invincibility_end_time:
            invincibility_active = False

        # Spawn fishes
        if time.time() - last_fish_spawn_time > 3:
            fish = turtle.Turtle()
            fish.shape(random.choice(fish_shapes))
            fish.penup()
            fish.goto(random.randint(-300, 300), random.randint(-200, 200))
            fishes.append(fish)
            last_fish_spawn_time = time.time()

        screen.update()
    else:
        timer_display.goto(0, 0)
        timer_display.write("Paused", font=("Arial", 24, "normal"))
        screen.update()

edited Feb 10 at 12:34

toolic

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answered Feb 9 at 23:50

Ismaial Rahat

1

1 Comment

Starship Feb 10 at 18:25

Don't add code-only answers. Explain what your code does, why it works, and how it helps to solve the problem.

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