Arduino Delay

Here, Arduino Delay specifies the delay( ) function used in the Arduino programming. Let's discuss the delay( ) function in detail.

delay( ) function

The delay( ) function pauses the program or task for a specified duration of time. The time is specified inside the open and closed parentheses in milliseconds.

Where,

1 second = 1000 milliseconds

Example 1:

delay(500)

Here, the specified time is 0.5 seconds.

It is shown below:

The program waits for a specified duration before proceeding onto the next line of the code. The delay( ) function allows the unsigned long data type in the code.

We can create many sketches using the short and long delays depending on the requirements in the project. It does not disable any interrupts. But, the delay( ) function has some drawbacks.

The Drawback of using delay( ) in the sketch

The delay( ) cease (stops) the other activities, such as manipulation of pins on the board, mathematical calculations, reading of other sensors during the delay function. The programmers usually avoid delay( ) of more than 10 seconds in the sketch.

Let's understand the delay() function with the help of two examples.

Example 1:

Consider the below code.

int LEDlightPin = 8;   // PIN 8 of the Arduino board initialized to the LED
// We can specify the variable according to our choice.
// For example, int PINonboard= 8
void setup( )
{
pinMode( LEDlightPin, OUTPUT) // the digital pin on board is set as the Output.
}
void loop( )
{
digitalWrite(LEDlightPin, HIGH);
delay(1500);  // The LED will light/ON for 1.5 seconds = 1500 milliseconds
digitalWrite(LEDlightPin, LOW);
delay(500); // The LED will dim/OFF for 0.5 seconds = 0.5x1000 = 500 milliseconds
//We can modify the time duration accoordingly.
}

Example 2:

Consider the below code:

void setup ( )
{ 
Serial.begin ( 4800); //opens the serial port and set the bits per rate to 4800
}
void loop ( )
{
Serial.print(" Welcome");
delay(1000);   
Serial.println("to delay");  // It will print 'to delay' followed by a new line.
delay ( 500);  // delay of 0.5 seconds between each printed line.
}

In the output, the word Welcome will appear followed by the word to delay 1 second later. After 0.5 seconds, another line will be printed.

Output:

Welcome to delay

The output will be printed repeatedly.

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