Only running a function if it's not already running

setTimeout() problems

[Nutter]

I have a function that fades a set of images out, swaps them, and fades the back in when the visitor clicks on an arrow. I use a series of setTimeout() calls for this. How can I make it so that if the process is active then clicking the arrow won't start it again?

Thanks,
- Ryan

[icpooreman]

Just set a boolean value for whether or not its complete and check it before you run the swap function.

[Nutter]

Do you mind expanding on that? I tried what I think you're describing. At the top of the js, var bRunning = false. Top of function bRunning = true;. Bottom of function, bRunning = false;. Before anything else, if (bRunning==true) {return; }

[icpooreman]

well ya I'm a little vague on what you're trying to accomplish but if you've already got a function that works to fade the image in and out just have a global variable set it originally to false then

function(){

if{var!=true){
your function as you have in now
var=true;
}
}

the only tricky part is if you want to set the var back equal to false after it's done and how you do that depends on how your function runs

[Nutter]

Warning: Rookie question ahead :)

To make a global variable, do I just have 'var whatever=false;' somewhere outside a function, probably near the top of the file? Or is there more to it than that?

[Nutter]

Never mind, I figured it out. Thanks for your help.

Here's what I was doing wrong. I had a series of setTimeout() functions that called sub functions to handle the fading and switch images at the correct time. But I forgot to use setTimeout() to change the global variable. When I did that, it worked perfectly.

Thanks again.