Tutorials : Step by Step :
Chapter 4 :

Chapter 4 - Advanced Topics

2. Using Threads

/*
Threads are needed when you want to perfom actions over and over again.
We want to show the current time, and update that every second.
*/
 

import java.awt.*;
import java.applet.*;
// We need Date to get the current time.
import java.util.Date;

// Implement Runnable, this will make it possible for threads
// to call the run method when activated.
    public class ThreadExample extends Applet implements Runnable
    {
         // Define your thread.
         Thread clockThread;
         // This textfield will show the time.
         TextField clockField;
         // Date will give us the current hours, minutes and seconds
         Date date;
         // This variable will remain true for as long
         // we want the thread to run.
         boolean running = true;

         public void init()
         {
              // a standard layout to place just one textfield
              setLayout(new BorderLayout());
               clockField = new TextField();
              add(clockField,"Center");
              // Create the thread.
              clockThread= new Thread(this);
              // and let it start running
              clockThread.start();
         }

         // Very important. You do not want your thread to keep running when
         // the applet is deactivated (eg. user left page)
         public void destroy()
         {
              // will cause thread to stop looping
              running = false;
              // destroy it.
              clockThread = null;
         }
 

     // The method that will be called when you have a thread.
     // You always need this when you implement Runnable (use a thread)
     public void run()
     {
          // loop until told to stop
          while (running)
          {
               // Construct the current date.
               date = new Date();
               // Get the hours, minutes and hours
               String time = date.getHours()+":"+date.getMinutes()+":"+date.getSeconds();
               // Put that result in the textfield
               clockField.setText(time);
               //Now the reason for threads
               try
               {
                     // Wait 500milliseconds before continuing
                    clockThread.sleep(500);
               }
               catch (InterruptedException e)
               {
                    System.out.println(e);
                }
               // he has wait and will now restart his actions.
          }
     }
} 

/*
Be cautious when using threads, make sure to end them sometime and not to let them run too
fast. When threads are used to time on-screen drawing, things could slow down
heavily.
*/

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