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- Component: TFTimer
- Description: Fast timer component for Delphi16
- Author: Richard Shotbolt
- Email: 100327,2305@compuserve.com
- Date: 14 Aug 1996
-
- TFTimer is a fast timer component which uses the MMSYSTEM timer routines
- to achieve an interval down to 1ms instead of the 55ms minimum for TTimer.
-
- This control is unusual in that it uses some unconventional techniques
- with data segments and arrays of event handlers to circumvent the normal
- requirement for a DLL in this type of control. Because of its somewhat
- experimental nature I am releasing the source code as freeware in the hope
- that more experienced programmers than myself can assess it and provide
- feedback. I am therefore not accepting any responsibility for system crashes
- or loss of data. Having said that, I have carried out many tests such as
- creating and destroying on-the-fly, multiple instances and running multiple
- copies of the same program, alt-tabbing, running other programs etc. under
- Win3.1 and Win95 and I have not managed to make it fall over.
-
- Thanks are due to Immo Wache for the TRtcTimer component which provided
- some interesting ideas to build on.
-
- << Using TFTimer >>
-
- TFTimer has the properties, methods and events of TTimer but with some
- additions and extensions.
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- << Properties >>
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Enabled: Boolean;
- Starts/stops the timer. Default is True.
-
- Interval: Word;
- Sets the delay in milliseconds. The minimum cannot be set lower than
- the system is capable of. Most new machines can achieve 1ms, but beware
- of running out of resources. Default is 1000 (1 sec).
-
- Resolution: Word;
- Sets the accuracy of timing. Smaller values eat up more processor time.
- Default is 5ms.
-
- Countdown: Integer;
- The timer continues to fire events until Countdown has decremented to zero.
- You can make it one-shot by setting Countdown to 1. If negative, the timer
- runs continuously. Default is -1.
-
- MaxTime: Word;
- Read only. Returns the maximum interval that can be set.
-
- MinTime: Word;
- Read only. Returns the minimum interval that can be set.
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- << Event >>
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- OnTimer: TNotifyEvent;
- This is the timer event and is the same as for TTimer
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- << Installation >>
-
- Backup your 'complib.dcl' file as a precaution.
- Select 'Options', 'Install Components'.
- Select 'Add', 'Browse'.
- Select the directory containing the ftcode files.
- Select 'ftcode.pas' and click OK on each box that appears.
- The FTimer control will be added to the 'System' section of your
- component toolbar.
- If anything goes wrong, restore your backed-up complib.dcl and try
- again after correcting any obvious problems.
-