Forums Scripts & Popups Problems with $duration($!idle)

I have been trying to use $duration($!idle) and even tried $duration( $!idle ) and it always returns 0.

I have had problems with $!idle before when inside the ()'s but was fixed by putting a space before and after the $!idle like so: ( $!idle ).

Any ideas?

Thanks

Your problem lies in the fact that you are escaping the wrong identifier.

$duration($!idle) is going to trigger the $duration function, with input the literal chars $idle, which has no meaning.

Solution: $!duration($idle)

FiberOPtics. Thank you very much for your input. Your solution works great.

Question: Is there someplace that will let me know when to use $! and when not to use $! (with or without ('s and )'s among other things?

Thanks

Ah good way to see if things need escaping or not is using a timer.

//timer 1 5 echo -a $!duration($idle) | timers

After issuing the /timers, you will see the running timers and their according command.

Basically, you need to distinguish what should be evaluated with the setting of the timer, and what should be evaluated when the timer finishes.

Good luck.

FiberOPtics. Thank you for your quick response.

Thanks