
     timer
        A timer is another object that has a value but no  screen
        representation. Its action is performed at regular inter-
        vals.

        Syntax: startup={ name=... value=...  interval=...   run-
        ning=...   action=...   }  name   defaults  to  "timer1",
        "timer2" etc.

        A timer has two special parameters, interval and running.
        interval  is  a  floating point number that specifies the
        interval (in seconds) at which the timer's  actions  will
        be  performed.   running  is  an  integer  that specifies
        whether the timer is running. Running defaults to 1, i.e.
        it  defaults  to  be  running.   Using SET a timer can be
        turned off by setting its running parameter to 0.

        A very simple script can generate a  digital  clock.  The
        message  object  is  initially  set the the output of the
        "date" program. The timer object runs  its  action  every
        second.  Its  action  is to update the message field with
        the current output of the "date" program.

        message={ name=disp value=`date` }
        timer={ interval=1 action="ASSIGN disp `date`" }

        Another common use for timers is to check the status of a
        job  that  has  been  run  in the background. There is an
        example script to do this in the section on TESTS below.
