How to perform an action every couple of seconds?

Question

Can someone quickly and simply explain to me how to perform an action every couple of seconds using

var timeOut = setTimeout(FunctionName, 5000);

I want to run a function every 5 seconds.

Answer 1

As you asked for a method using setTimeout:

function doStuff() {
   console.log("hello!");
   setTimeout(doStuff, 5000);
}
setTimeout(doStuff, 5000);

But it would probably be better to use setInterval:

function doStuff() {
   console.log("hello!");
}
setInterval(doStuff, 5000);

Answer 2

Just put setTimeout at the end inside your function, with a call to itself - like a delayed tail-recursion.

Answer 3

Use setInterval:

var timeOut = setInterval(nextNotice, 5000);