setTimeout runs only once?

Question

function slide() {     if($('.current').is(':last-child')){         $('.current').removeClass('.current');         $('#imgholder').first().addClass('.current');         $('#imgholder').animate({left: '3920px'});     }     else{         $nxt=$(".current");         $(".current").removeClass("current");         $nxt.next().addClass("current");         $('#imgholder').animate({left: '-=980'},{duration: 'slow', easing: 'easeOutBounce' });         } } var loop_handle= setTimeout("slide()",'3000'); 

I have put this code in header section and the setTimeout runs only once.

Answer 1

setTimeout should only run once. You're looking for setInterval.

var loop_handle = setInterval(slide, 3000); 

Also, the second argument should be a number, not a string. When the function call doesn't require any arguments, it's better to reference to the function instead of using a string. A string would be converted to a function. This function will be executed within the scope of the window.

  setInterval("slide()", 3000); //becomes   setInterval(Function("slide();"), 3000); 

Answer 2

Yes, setTimeout only runs once. You want setInterval. This function also returns an ID you can use to cancel the interval. For example:

const slideInterval = setInterval(slide, 3000);  // later... clearInterval(slideInterval);