python threading.Timer start immediately not at specified time

Question

i want to execute a function in every 3 second the code works if i call a function without arguments like below:

def mytempfunc():
    print "this is timer!"
    threading.Timer(5, mytempfunc).start()

but if i call a function with argument like this:

def myotherfunc(a,b,c,d):
    print "this is timer!"
    threading.Timer(5, myotherfunc(a,b,c,d)).start()

the new thread will be created and started immediately without waiting for 5 seconds. is there anything that i missed?

The tabs on this aren't right and your second example is calling mytempfunc, which doesn't seem right. Could you edit your question? — Jacinda
– Jacinda, Commented May 24, 2013 at 19:11
note: Timer() executes the function only once. See related question you want to call function repeatedly every n seconds — jfs
– jfs, Commented May 24, 2013 at 19:27

Markku K. · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-24 19:17:34Z

20

Try this:

threading.Timer(5, myotherfunc, [a,b,c,d]).start()

In your code, you actually call myotherfunc(a,b,c,d), rather than passing your function and arguments to the Timer class.

answered May 24, 2013 at 19:12

Markku K.

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1 Comment

Excellent catch. I am new to python and couldn't figure out why the code was behaving the way it was.