How do I pause all timers in a Tick group?

Simply stop calling the group's update() method. The README notes that groups can be paused by neglecting updates, which is useful for pausing game events without destroying them.

Does Tick support slow-motion or time scaling effects?

Not directly. You need to manually adjust the delta time passed to update() or scale delays in callbacks, as Tick has no built-in time scaling feature.

Tick vs using Lua coroutines for game timers, which is better?

Tick offers a higher-level API with chaining and group management for simpler code, while coroutines provide more control but require manual timing setup and can be more complex to manage.

How to handle errors in Tick callback functions?

Tick doesn't handle errors internally. Wrap your callback functions in Lua's pcall() or xpcall() to catch and manage exceptions, preventing the entire timer system from crashing.

Is Tick good for multiplayer games with network sync?

It handles local timing well, but for networked events, you must synchronize timers externally, as Tick lacks network-aware scheduling or latency compensation features.

Can I chain recurring events with the :after() method?

The :after() method works primarily with delayed events from tick.delay(). For recurring events, you might need to manage sequences manually or use nested callbacks, as chaining isn't directly supported for recur().

tick — Lua Function Scheduler

What is tick?

Tick is a small Lua module that simplifies calling functions after a delay or at regular intervals. It solves the problem of managing timed callbacks in real-time applications like games by providing a clean, minimal API for scheduling and controlling function execution.

Target Audience

Lua developers, particularly those working on game projects or real-time applications that need simple timer functionality without heavy dependencies.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Tick for its simplicity, lightweight design, and practical features like event chaining and independent groups, which make it easier to manage complex timing logic compared to manual timer implementations.

Lua module for delaying function calls

Use Cases

Best For

Adding delayed visual or audio effects in Lua games
Creating timed sequences of actions with clean chaining syntax
Implementing cooldown mechanics or ability timers
Managing independent event groups for pausable game systems
Scheduling recurring updates for game entities or UI elements
Replacing manual delta-time accumulation with a structured timer system

Not Ideal For

Applications requiring sub-millisecond precision or hardware-level timer integration
Projects needing built-in advanced scheduling like debounce, throttle, or cron-like expressions
Teams developing large-scale systems with thousands of concurrent timers where performance optimization is critical

Pros & Cons

Pros

Clean Event Chaining

The :after() method enables sequential delays without deep nesting, as shown in the README example for printing 'cat', 'dog', 'owl' with 1-second intervals.

Independent Group Management

Groups created via tick.group() allow pausing and destroying event sets independently, ideal for game pausing scenarios described in the README.

Minimal and Lightweight

With a single Lua file and no dependencies, Tick is easy to drop into projects and has a small footprint, perfect for resource-constrained environments like games.

Simple API Design

Functions like tick.delay() and tick.recur() provide straightforward scheduling, reducing the boilerplate of manual timer management.

Cons

Manual Update Overhead

Developers must call tick.update(dt) each frame with accurate delta time, adding maintenance burden and risk if delta time is inconsistent or incorrect.

No Built-in Error Handling

The README doesn't address error handling for callbacks, leaving it to users to wrap functions in pcall or similar mechanisms to prevent crashes.

Lacks Advanced Features

Missing functionalities like time scaling, individual timer pause/resume without groups, or support for complex scheduling patterns limit its use in advanced scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tick?

Target Audience

Lua developers, particularly those working on game projects or real-time applications that need simple timer functionality without heavy dependencies.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Adding delayed visual or audio effects in Lua games
Creating timed sequences of actions with clean chaining syntax
Implementing cooldown mechanics or ability timers
Managing independent event groups for pausable game systems
Scheduling recurring updates for game entities or UI elements
Replacing manual delta-time accumulation with a structured timer system

Not Ideal For

Applications requiring sub-millisecond precision or hardware-level timer integration
Projects needing built-in advanced scheduling like debounce, throttle, or cron-like expressions
Teams developing large-scale systems with thousands of concurrent timers where performance optimization is critical

Pros & Cons

Pros

Clean Event Chaining

The :after() method enables sequential delays without deep nesting, as shown in the README example for printing 'cat', 'dog', 'owl' with 1-second intervals.

Independent Group Management

Groups created via tick.group() allow pausing and destroying event sets independently, ideal for game pausing scenarios described in the README.

Minimal and Lightweight

With a single Lua file and no dependencies, Tick is easy to drop into projects and has a small footprint, perfect for resource-constrained environments like games.

Simple API Design

Functions like tick.delay() and tick.recur() provide straightforward scheduling, reducing the boilerplate of manual timer management.

Cons

Manual Update Overhead

Developers must call tick.update(dt) each frame with accurate delta time, adding maintenance burden and risk if delta time is inconsistent or incorrect.

No Built-in Error Handling

The README doesn't address error handling for callbacks, leaving it to users to wrap functions in pcall or similar mechanisms to prevent crashes.

Lacks Advanced Features

Missing functionalities like time scaling, individual timer pause/resume without groups, or support for complex scheduling patterns limit its use in advanced scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

tick

What is tick?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

tick

What is tick?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?