How to wait for a few seconds between text changed in Android?

Question

I'm using MaterialChipsInput (although it does not matter what is the component I'm using). I have the following code:

chipsInput.addChipsListener(new ChipsInput.ChipsListener() {
    @Override
    public void onChipAdded(ChipInterface chip, int newSize) {}

    @Override
    public void onChipRemoved(ChipInterface chip, int newSize) {}

    @Override
    public void onTextChanged(CharSequence text) {
        if (text != null && text.toString().contains(",") && text.toString().length() > 1) {
            final String tag = Utils.capitalizeFully(text.toString().replaceAll(",","").trim());
            if (!(tag.isEmpty())) {
                chipsInput.addChip(tag, null);
            }
        }
    }
});

Basically, it add tags to chipsInput every time user enters a comma. The problem is that the user will have to end with a comma in order to add it as a chip. I would like to add a timer for 5 seconds and if there is no changes after those 5 seconds, it will add that chip to the chipsInput. What would be the easiest way to do it?

@AniketSahrawat that's not gonna work because `onTextChanged` will be called again and you'll just have another sleep. Changed my title a bit so it will be easier to understand. — vesii, Aug 07 '20 at 18:10
That needs to be executed in a different thread and checked for input. But if you aren't familiar with concurrency then don't do it because it will create more harm than ease. — Aniket Sahrawat, Aug 07 '20 at 18:14
I do understand how threads work. The problem is that `ChipsInput` is a third party so I'm not the one that handles the execution of `onTextChanged`. I override the method and somehow I need to follow user's changes. — vesii, Aug 07 '20 at 18:31
The `Chip` extends `AppCompatTextView` extends `TextView` which supports a `onFocusChanged`; so extend `Chip` and implement the `onFocusChanged` callback - if losing focus is the criteria needed (rather than time). — , Aug 07 '20 at 19:23

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 10 '23 at 15:41

Its onTextChanged is called from onTextChanged of the Chip's EditText as declared here in the library to which you cannot do much. So, here's I'm pointing out a solution using CountDownTimer.

Why a CountDownTimer? Because You can reset the time back to 0 if user types again under 5 seconds. You can also do it using a Handler and reset it again as done in this answer.

Declare mCountDownTimer a global variable as :
```
CountDownTimer mCountDownTimer;
```

Declare countDownFunction() as :

private void countDownFunction(String chipText) {
    if(mCountDownTimer != null) 
        mCountDownTimer.cancel(); // Cancels the CountDown

    mCountDownTimer = new CountDownTimer(5000, 1000) {
        @Override
        public void onTick(long millisUntilFinished) {
            //Called after every delay of the above second parameter as a ticking count down
            //Current delay is 1 second as 1000 passed above
        }

        @Override
        public void onFinish() {
            //This will only be called on successful five second delay
            chipsInput.addChip(chipText, null); //chipText is the parameter passed to this function
            //You may want to clear the Chip `EditText` here
        }
    };
    mCountDownTimer.start(); // Restarts the CountDown
 }

Call your countDownFunction() from the onTextChanged and pass the text to it as :

 @Override
 public void onTextChanged(CharSequence text) {
     if (text != null && text.toString().length() > 1) {
         if(text.toString().contains(",")){
             final String tag = Utils.capitalizeFully(text.toString().replaceAll(",","").trim());
             if (!(tag.isEmpty())) {
                 chipsInput.addChip(tag, null);
             }
         }
         else
             countDownFunction(Utils.capitalizeFully(text.toString().trim()));
     }
 }

Now, to improve this, you can use AsyncTask or Handler with runnable thread. There are many ways to do this, there are many ways to handle the async operation to ensure smooth running app.

But, this gives you the idea - What's happening here is every time a text is entered without comma ,, this function is called and it either starts the count down if not previously started or restarts it because of which the onFinish() of the count down will only be called if it passes the 5 second time and then it will add the chip.

Edit : Now, the resetting of the timer will work better. You can still look at this question.

How to wait for a few seconds between text changed in Android?

1 Answers1