delayer.py

import time, threading

#This class meant to be really simple, just delaying tasks
#But it got some nice features :)

'''
This example will repeat your function every 1 second, and stop doing that after 10 seconds:

from delayer import Delay

def my_func():
	print("Hello")
d = Delay(target=my_func,delay=1,repeat=True)

def stop_that():
	d.cancel()
Delay(target=stop_that,delay=10,daemon=False)

'''

class Delay(object):

	'''
	Parameters:
		target - Function that will be called after delay has passed
		args - Arguments for target (if any)
		delay - Time to wait in seconds before calling target
		start - If true, counting will start instantly, otherwise you must call .start()
		daemon - If true, main program will not wait for thread to end before exiting
		repeat - If true, delay will repeat forever. Only way to stop it is to call .cancel()
		instant - If true, target will be called once before counting
	'''
	def __init__(self, target=None, args=None, delay=0, start=True, daemon=True, repeat=False, instant=False):
		self.target = target
		self.delay = delay
		self.args = args
		self.canceled = False
		self.repeat = repeat

		self.thread = threading.Thread(target=self.__waiting_thread)
		self.thread.daemon = daemon

		if start:
			self.start()

		if instant:
			self.__run()

	def __waiting_thread(self):
		timer = time.time()+self.delay
		while not self.canceled:
			if time.time()>=timer:
				self.__run()
				if self.repeat:
					timer = time.time()+self.delay
				else:
					self.canceled = True
			else:
				time.sleep(1)

	def __run(self):
		if self.args != None:
			self.target(self.args)
		else:
			self.target()

	def start(self):
		self.thread.start()

	def cancel(self):
		self.canceled = True