Adlib - What does the word mean?

[Professor_Bernd]

I understand how the AdlibRegister function works, it seems to encapsulate the API timer call. This is clearly ready.

1. But what does the word Adlib mean? I did research and used online translators, and I guess it has nothing to do with rap music, right? So what's the secret?

2. I wrote a small demo of how to start and use multiple Adlib timers at once. If anyone is interested, I am happy to share. - Where is the right place for it?

Prof Bernd.

[Nine]

Good question, my guess : Ad libitum 

[Professor_Bernd]

Wikipedia: ad libitum from Latin for "at one's pleasure" or "as you desire". - Well, that still doesn't tell me what connects a timer function and "at one's pleasure".  Thanks for your answer.

 

[TheSaint]

I guess the easiest way to describe it, is to say it works when it can, when your processor gives it a chance, based on a specified minimal time between workings.

If for instance, you have a MsgBox open, it won't happen until that MsgBox closes and that minimal amount of time has passed, which may have happened meanwhile.

You could see it as a kind of improvisation by your processor ... adjusting to conditions.

Here are some definitions of what is actually ad-lib, from which the function name would be derived.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ad-lib

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad-lib

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/ad-lib

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by TheSaint

[mikell]

I personally like the merriam-webster definitions :
- "in accordance with one's wishes" (so does the timer)
- "without restraint or limit" (so it will run until unregistered)

[argumentum]

1 hour ago, Professor_Bernd said:

still doesn't tell me what connects a timer function and "at one's pleasure"

..I had children and had to give them names. Not easy. My spouses did that anyway ( and I had not much of a say anyway )
Now, coming up with names for concepts can get cumbersome and once you called it something it stays, even if you found a better name.
I think the AdLib is a good name for the concept. It could be called Juan but, then again, people would say One, so.... AdLib it is  

...and AdLib works like a timer but is not a timer. It will execute in the midst of the script every x ms. but is not a timer. Is an AdLib function.
I can code something to show/proof the difference ( even if to add another shoe to my mouth )

Edited August 9, 2020 by argumentum
=)

[Professor_Bernd]

Off-topic: Of the four of you I've been reading a lot of posts for quite some time now and I've already used some code from you. I am happy about your answers!

On-topic. All your answers are great, I like the one from argumentum best! Probably because I understand how hard it is to give good names. And I'm always happy when I have found an appropriate name for a function or feature.

If a name is catchy, it is good. For example, "API-Timer" is a name that came to my mind a long time ago. When I started programming, shortly after I created the first form (AutoIt language: GUI), with the first button and the first "Hello World! messagebox, I used the first API timer. - Those were still times.

Okay, I digress. It seems that there is no direct relation between the name Adlib and what the function does. So I think your answers are the best. Thank you very much for your posts!

 

On 8/9/2020 at 5:40 PM, argumentum said:

...and AdLib works like a timer but is not a timer. It will execute in the midst of the script every x ms. but is not a timer. Is an AdLib function.
I can code something to show/proof the difference ( even if to add another shoe to my mouth )

Sorry, I'm off-topic again, but this is very interesting!

I know that an MsgBox or a Sleep* pauses the Adlib function. The Adlib timer even pauses when you click and hold the mouse button on the title bar of a GUI. Very strange. An API timer is not paused by all this, it's probably running in a different thread.

If you know of other differences, I would be happy about a demo! 👍

* Edit: Sorry, that was wrong, "Sleep()" does not pause an Adlib timer.

Edited August 15, 2020 by Professor_Bernd

[argumentum]

2 minutes ago, Professor_Bernd said:

The Adlib timer even pauses when you click and hold the mouse button on the title bar of a GUI. Very strange. An API timer is not paused by all this

..that is that. I'd code something to show just that. Is all in the same thread.

At times, I run an AdLib from within a GUIRegisterMsg(), and act in "script time" to free the "GUIRegisterMsg time".
I use the $WM_TIMER when I need to get something done no matter what the user does to the GUI.
If the function called by $WM_TIMER is not fast ( say, under 20 ms. ), then I fork that to another script.

But yes, AdLib means "do it at your leisure ( within "script time" ), but do it" and $WM_TIMER means "I'll stop the world to do it, even if it explodes".
( my non-programmer explication )

Off-Topic: In the future, cars may self drive and also, AutoIt may run GUI stuff in a 2nd thread, ...in the future, maybe, just maybe.

[TheSaint]

Ad-lib would also be related to ad hoc ... but I am pretty sure we wouldn't want a function for that. 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad hoc

... or maybe we do. 

.... or not.

    

Edited August 9, 2020 by TheSaint

[Professor_Bernd]

@TheSaint I like best the plan with the network topology.

[Musashi]

20 hours ago, Professor_Bernd said:

2. I wrote a small demo of how to start and use multiple Adlib timers at once. If anyone is interested, I am happy to share. - Where is the right place for it?

The suitable place to post your demo would be, in my opinion, the forum area autoit-example-scripts

Example scripts do not necessarily have to be huge projects like e.g. ISN AutoIt Studio. Even a small function can be beneficial for others .  

[pixelsearch]

I always thought that "Adlib" was related to "play it again and again" so it was great to find the same meaning in AdlibRegister

...in the phrase "repeat ad libitum," to play the passage an arbitrary number of times (cf vamp) :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_libitum

Next step could be to play it "Ad nauseam"

[Professor_Bernd]

One more question. Why was the name changed from AdlibEnable to AdlibRegister?

...

Okay, I found it. AdlibEnable had only allowed one timer, AdlibRegister now allows multiple.

 

[argumentum]

3 hours ago, Professor_Bernd said:

the name changed from AdlibEnable to AdlibRegister

AdlibEnable would enable the adlib. Just one. ( old AutoIt version )
AdlibRegister any count of Alibs ( newer versions )

Edit: ..I did not read attentively. You've answered your question.  

Edited August 15, 2020 by argumentum
=)

[jchd]

Late to the party: I believe the name was chosen to match the uses case in music where it means "adjust the tempo as you see fit" or "repeat as much as you want", which is pretty close to what the function allows.

[Professor_Bernd]

@jchd Nice interpretation!