Wait () Seconds (block)

"Wait" redirects here. For the other Control block with "wait" in its name, see Wait Until () (block).

Wait () Seconds
wait () seconds
Category	Control
Type	Stack
Introduced in	14Feb04

The wait () seconds block is a control block and a stack block. It pauses its script for the specified amount of seconds — the wait can also be a decimal number.

This block is one of the most commonly used blocks; it is used whenever a sprite must wait for another action.

Prior to Scratch 3.0, this block was previously called "wait () secs."

Time Waited

This block will always wait at least 1/30 of a second, or one frame. It will always resume upon the closest 1/30 second increment.

Note:

If the project lags, this will not effect the time waited. Although this may be desirable, if you use other timing systems that do slow down when the project lags, when combined with this block, timing issues and discrepancies can arise.

Example Uses

This block creates a pause whenever needed. As there are many situations where this is necessary, the block is used in many projects. Some common uses:

• Timers

forever
 wait (60) seconds
 change [minutes v] by (1)

• Animation delays

repeat (10)
 wait (0.05) seconds
 next costume

• Virtual simulations

wait (300) seconds
broadcast (Morning v)

• Letting variables attain their proper value in the Java Player

when gf clicked
set [var v] to [0]
wait (0) seconds
change [var v] by (1)

• In the Flash Player, allowing sprites to wait for a screen refresh so sprites can sense objects drawn by the pen.

stamp
go to x: (-50) y: (0)
wait (0) seconds
repeat until <touching color [#000000]?>{
change x by (1)
}::control loop

Workarounds

Main article: List of Block Workarounds

This block can be replicated using any of the following scripts:

Using the Timer

reset timer
wait until <not <(timer) < (value)>>

However, if the project resets the timer for other purposes, a different workaround should be used.

set [variable v] to (timer)
wait until <not <((timer) - (variable)) < (wait duration)>>

The workaround uses the timer as a base instead of a player-made clock because the timer is more accurate; player-made clocks lag from the time it takes to change the clock variable.

Using Glide () Secs to X: () Y: ()

glide (wait duration) secs to x: (x position) y: (y position)

This workaround will muddle whatever movement the sprite is performing at the time, so it is best to keep the workaround to immobile sprites.

Using Say () for () Seconds or Think () for () Seconds

say [ ] for (wait duration) seconds

think [ ] for (wait duration) seconds

These two workarounds will ruin any thoughts or sayings that the sprite has at the time, so they should only be used on sprites that do not think or talk.

Using Rest for () Beats

rest for (((tempo) / (60)) * (wait duration)) beats

Using Play Sound () Until Done

Note:

This is assuming that the sound is exactly the wanted length.

play sound (silent sound v) until done