Play a warning sound.

[Simply Me]

Hello!

I have a running timer progam already but I want to incorporate a warning sound. Okay, so I have a txtcustomtime where I will type the stop time of my timer. I also have a txtwarn where user can type value when the warning sound will play.

Currently, the timer program will play a beep sound every tick of a second and plays a chime when it reaches the stop time. I want to incorporate a warning time such that when the user 5 seconds, the warning sound will play 5 seconds before the timer stops. Here is what I have now.

   Private Sub BtnStart_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles BtnStart.Click
        If timerRunning Then
            ' Stop the timer
            timerRunning = False

            BtnReset.Enabled = True
            BtnClearOptions.Enabled = True

            ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
            UpdateUIOnTimerStop()

            ' Enable all Radio buttons
            ''EnableAllOptionButtons()

            ' Stop playing the warning sound when stopping the timer
            warningSoundPlayer.Stop()

        Else
            ' Start the timer
            If RdoPredefinedStopTime.Checked Then
                If CmbPredefinedTime.SelectedIndex > 0 Then
                    If RdoCountUp.Checked Then
                        ' Retrieve the selected predefined stop time
                        timerStopTime = CInt(CmbPredefinedTime.SelectedItem)
                        timerRunning = True
                        BtnStart.Text = "Stop" ' Change button text to "Stop"
                        BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red 'Change the background color
                        BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White ' Change the text color
                        BtnReset.Enabled = False
                        BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False
                        ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
                        DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()
                        Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf CountUpTimer)
                        timerThread.Start()
                    ElseIf RdoCountDown.Checked Then
                        ' Retrieve the selected predefined stop time
                        timerStopTime = CInt(CmbPredefinedTime.SelectedItem)
                        timerRunning = True
                        BtnStart.Text = "Stop" ' Change button text to "Stop"
                        BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red 'Change the background color
                        BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White ' Change the text color
                        ' Disable the Reset and Clear Options buttons
                        BtnReset.Enabled = False
                        BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False
                        ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
                        DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()
                        Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf CountDownTimer)
                        timerThread.Start()

                    Else
                        ' Retrieve the selected predefined stop time
                        timerStopTime = CInt(CmbPredefinedTime.SelectedItem)
                        timerRunning = True
                        BtnStart.Text = "Stop" ' Change button text to "Stop"
                        BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red 'Change the background color
                        BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White ' Change the text color
                        ' Disable the Reset and Clear Options buttons
                        BtnReset.Enabled = False
                        BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False
                        ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
                        DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()
                        Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf RunTimer)
                        timerThread.Start()
                    End If

                Else
                    MessageBox.Show("Please select a predefined stop time.", "Invalid Input", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
                End If
            ElseIf RdoCustomStopTime.Checked Then
                Dim stopTimeStr As String = TxtCustomStopTime.Text
                If RdoCountUp.Checked Then
                    If Integer.TryParse(stopTimeStr, timerStopTime) AndAlso timerStopTime >= 0 Then
                        timerRunning = True
                        BtnStart.Text = "Stop" ' Change button text to "Stop"
                        BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red 'Change the background color
                        BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White ' Change the text color
                        ' Disable the Reset and Clear Options buttons
                        BtnReset.Enabled = False
                        BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False
                        ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
                        DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()
                        Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf CountUpTimer)
                        timerThread.Start()
                    Else
                        MessageBox.Show("Please enter a valid non-negative stop time in seconds.", "Invalid Input", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
                    End If
                ElseIf RdoCountDown.Checked Then
                    If Integer.TryParse(stopTimeStr, timerStopTime) AndAlso timerStopTime >= 0 Then
                        timerRunning = True
                        BtnStart.Text = "Stop" ' Change button text to "Stop"
                        BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red 'Change the background color
                        BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White ' Change the text color
                        ' Disable the Reset and Clear Options buttons
                        BtnReset.Enabled = False
                        BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False
                        ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
                        DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()
                        Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf CountDownTimer)
                        timerThread.Start()
                    Else
                        MessageBox.Show("Please enter a valid non-negative stop time in seconds.", "Invalid Input", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
                    End If
                Else
                    'Dim stopTimeStr As String = TxtCustomStopTime.Text
                    If Integer.TryParse(stopTimeStr, timerStopTime) AndAlso timerStopTime >= 0 Then
                        timerRunning = True
                        BtnStart.Text = "Stop" ' Change button text to "Stop"
                        BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red 'Change the background color
                        BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White ' Change the text color
                        ' Disable the Reset and Clear Options buttons
                        BtnReset.Enabled = False
                        BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False
                        ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
                        DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()
                        Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf RunTimer)
                        timerThread.Start()
                    Else
                        MessageBox.Show("Please enter a valid non-negative stop time in seconds.", "Invalid Input", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
                    End If
                End If
            ElseIf RdoNoStopTime.Checked Then
                ' Start timer without stop time
                timerRunning = True
                BtnStart.Text = "Stop" ' Change button text to "Stop"
                BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red 'Change the background color
                BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White ' Change the text color
                ' Disable the Reset and Clear Options buttons
                BtnReset.Enabled = False
                BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False
                ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
                DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()
                Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf NoStopTimer)
                timerThread.Start()
            End If
        End If

    End Sub

 Private Sub RunTimer()
        Try
            Dim startTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now
            Dim stopTime As DateTime = startTime.AddSeconds(timerStopTime)
            Dim previousSeconds As Integer = -1 ' Set to an invalid value to force tick sound play on first tick

            While timerRunning ' Run while the timer is running
                Dim elapsedTime As TimeSpan = DateTime.Now - startTime

                ' Play tick sound every second
                Dim currentSeconds As Integer = CInt(elapsedTime.TotalSeconds)
                If currentSeconds > 0 AndAlso currentSeconds <> previousSeconds Then
                    PlayTickSound()
                    previousSeconds = currentSeconds
                End If

                ' Check if elapsed time exceeds or equals the stop time
                If elapsedTime >= TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime) Then
                    ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
                    UpdateUIOnTimerStop()

                    Exit While ' Stop timer if elapsed time equals stop time and Exit the loop after updating button properties
                End If

                ' Update timer label with elapsed time
                UpdateTimerLabel(elapsedTime)

                Thread.Sleep(100) ' Adjust sleep time for smoother execution
            End While

            ' Ensure the timer label displays the stop time when timer stops
            UpdateTimerLabel(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime))

            ' Play stop sound when the timer reaches the stop time
            PlayStopSound()
            timerRunning = False

        Catch ex As Exception
            MessageBox.Show("An error occurred: " & ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
        End Try
    End Sub

Private Sub CountUpTimer()
        Dim startTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now

        While timerRunning ' Run while the timer is running
            Dim elapsedTime As TimeSpan = DateTime.Now - startTime

            ' Update timer label with elapsed time
            UpdateTimerLabel(elapsedTime)

            ' Check if elapsed time exceeds or equals the stop time
            If elapsedTime >= TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime) Then
                ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
                UpdateUIOnTimerStop()
                Exit While ' Stop timer if elapsed time equals stop time and Exit the loop after updating button properties
            End If

            Thread.Sleep(100) ' Adjust sleep time for smoother execution
        End While

        ' Ensure the timer label displays the stop time when timer stops
        UpdateTimerLabel(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime))

        ' Play stop sound when the timer reaches the stop time
        PlayStopSound()
        timerRunning = False
    End Sub

    Private Sub CountDownTimer()
        Dim stopTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now.AddSeconds(timerStopTime)

        While timerRunning ' Run while the timer is running
            Dim remainingTime As TimeSpan = stopTime - DateTime.Now

            ' Update the timer label with the remaining time
            UpdateTimerLabel(remainingTime)

            If remainingTime <= TimeSpan.Zero Then
                ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
                UpdateUIOnTimerStop()
                Exit While ' Exit the loop if the remaining time is negative or zero
            End If

            Thread.Sleep(100) ' Adjust sleep time for smoother execution
        End While

        ' Ensure the timer label displays the stop time when timer stops
        UpdateTimerLabel(TimeSpan.Zero)

        PlayStopSound() ' Play stop sound when the timer reaches the stop time
        timerRunning = False
    End Sub

[.paul.]

You need an if statement, where you currently play your tick sound, you need to test if it’s 5 seconds before stop time and if so play your warning sound…

[Peter Porter]

I would help, but your code is such a mess, I wouldn't know where to plug in my code for warning beeps. Also what do you mean by "I want to incorporate a warning time such that when the user 5 seconds"? Do you mean when the timer reaches 5 seconds?

[.paul.]

I would help, but your code is such a mess, I wouldn't know where to plug in my code for warning beeps. Also what do you mean by "I want to incorporate a warning time such that when the user 5 seconds"? Do you mean when the timer reaches 5 seconds?

My guess is 5 seconds before stopping

[Peter Porter]

Dim elapsedTime As TimeSpan = DateTime.Now - startTime

' Calculate remaining time until the timer stops
Dim remainingTime As TimeSpan = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime) - elapsedTime

' Check if remaining time is equal to or less than 5 seconds
If remainingTime <= TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5) Then
    ' Play the warning sound
    PlayWarningSound()
End If

Private Sub PlayWarningSound()
    ' Create a SoundPlayer instance
    Dim player As New SoundPlayer()

    ' Load the system beep sound
    player.Stream = SystemSounds.Beep.Stream

    ' Play the beep sound repeatedly for 5 seconds
    Dim startTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now
    While DateTime.Now - startTime < TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5)
        player.PlaySync() ' Play the beep sound synchronously
        Thread.Sleep(500) ' Pause between each warning beep
    End While

    ' Dispose of the SoundPlayer instance to release resources
    player.Dispose()
End Sub

[Shaggy Hiker]

Just out of curiosity, why are you creating a timer rather than using one of the several Timers available to you?

[Simply Me]

I would help, but your code is such a mess, I wouldn't know where to plug in my code for warning beeps. Also what do you mean by "I want to incorporate a warning time such that when the user 5 seconds"? Do you mean when the timer reaches 5 seconds?

I've changed my code so that it will not look messy.

Private Sub BtnStart_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles BtnStart.Click
        ' Check if any of the stop time radio buttons are checked
        If Not (RdoCustomStopTime.Checked Or RdoPredefinedStopTime.Checked Or RdoNoStopTime.Checked) Then
            MessageBox.Show("Please select one of the stop time options.", "Invalid Input", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
            Exit Sub
        End If

        If timerRunning Then
            ' Stop the timer
            timerRunning = False
            BtnReset.Enabled = True
            BtnClearOptions.Enabled = True

            ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
            UpdateUIOnTimerStop()


            If RdoCustomStopTime.Checked Or RdoPredefinedStopTime.Checked Then
                EnableAllOptionButtons()
                ''Clear_UncheckGrpOption2Options()
            Else
                ' Enable GrpOption1
                EnableStopTimeOptions()
            End If

        Else
            ' Start the timer
            If RdoPredefinedStopTime.Checked Then
                If CmbPredefinedTime.SelectedIndex > 0 Then
                    timerStopTime = CInt(CmbPredefinedTime.SelectedItem)

                Else
                    MessageBox.Show("Please select a predefined stop time.", "Invalid Input", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
                    Exit Sub
                End If

            ElseIf RdoCustomStopTime.Checked Then
                Dim stopTimeStr As String = TxtCustomStopTime.Text
                If Not Integer.TryParse(stopTimeStr, timerStopTime) OrElse timerStopTime < 0 Then
                    MessageBox.Show("Please enter a valid non-negative stop time in seconds.", "Invalid Input", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Warning)
                    Exit Sub
                End If
            End If

            ' Start the timer
            timerRunning = True
            BtnStart.Text = "Stop"
            BtnStart.BackColor = Color.Red
            BtnStart.ForeColor = Color.White
            BtnReset.Enabled = False
            BtnClearOptions.Enabled = False

            ' Disable all option buttons except the checked ones
            DisableUncheckedOptionButtons()

            'If RdoCustomStopTime.Checked Or RdoPredefinedStopTime.Checked Then
            '    EnableAllOptionButtons()
            'Else
            '    ' Disable Options in GrpOption2
            '    DisableOtherOptions()
            'End If

            ' Disable Options in GrpOption2
            ''DisableOtherOptions()

            ' Start the appropriate timer thread based on the selected options
            If RdoCountUp.Checked Then
                Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf CountUpTimer)
                timerThread.Start()
            ElseIf RdoCountDown.Checked Then
                Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf CountDownTimer)
                timerThread.Start()
            ElseIf RdoNoStopTime.Checked Then
                Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf NoStopTimer)
                timerThread.Start()
            Else
                Dim timerThread As New Thread(AddressOf RunTimer)
                timerThread.Start()
            End If
        End If
    End Sub

 Private Sub RunTimer()
        Try
            Dim startTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now
            Dim stopTime As DateTime = startTime.AddSeconds(timerStopTime)
            Dim previousSeconds As Integer = -1 ' Set to an invalid value to force tick sound play on first tick
            'Dim warningTime As DateTime = startTime.AddSeconds(timerStopTime - TxtWarn.Text) ' Calculate warning time

            While timerRunning ' Run while the timer is running
                Dim elapsedTime As TimeSpan = DateTime.Now - startTime

                ' Play tick sound every second
                Dim currentSeconds As Integer = CInt(elapsedTime.TotalSeconds)
                If currentSeconds > 0 AndAlso currentSeconds <> previousSeconds Then
                    PlayTickSound()
                    previousSeconds = currentSeconds
                End If

                ' Check if warning is enabled and the current time equals or exceeds the warning time
                ''If ChkWarning.Checked AndAlso DateTime.Now >= warningTime Then
                ''    PlayWarningSound() ' Play warning sound
                ''End If

                ' Check if elapsed time exceeds or equals the stop time
                If elapsedTime >= TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime) Then
                    ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
                    UpdateUIOnTimerStop()

                    Exit While ' Stop timer if elapsed time equals stop time and Exit the loop after updating button properties
                End If

                ' Update timer label with elapsed time
                UpdateTimerLabel(elapsedTime)

                Thread.Sleep(100) ' Adjust sleep time for smoother execution
            End While

            ' Ensure the timer label displays the stop time when timer stops
            UpdateTimerLabel(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime))

            ' Play stop sound when the timer reaches the stop time
            PlayStopSound()
            timerRunning = False

        Catch ex As Exception
            MessageBox.Show("An error occurred: " & ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
        End Try
    End Sub

Private Sub CountUpTimer()
        Dim startTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now

        While timerRunning ' Run while the timer is running
            Dim elapsedTime As TimeSpan = DateTime.Now - startTime

            ' Update timer label with elapsed time
            UpdateTimerLabel(elapsedTime)

            ' Check if elapsed time exceeds or equals the stop time
            If elapsedTime >= TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime) Then
                ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
                UpdateUIOnTimerStop()
                Exit While ' Stop timer if elapsed time equals stop time and Exit the loop after updating button properties
            End If

            Thread.Sleep(100) ' Adjust sleep time for smoother execution
        End While

        ' Ensure the timer label displays the stop time when timer stops
        UpdateTimerLabel(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(timerStopTime))

        ' Play stop sound when the timer reaches the stop time
        PlayStopSound()
        timerRunning = False
    End Sub

    Private Sub CountDownTimer()
        Dim stopTime As DateTime = DateTime.Now.AddSeconds(timerStopTime)

        While timerRunning ' Run while the timer is running
            Dim remainingTime As TimeSpan = stopTime - DateTime.Now

            ' Update the timer label with the remaining time
            UpdateTimerLabel(remainingTime)

            If remainingTime <= TimeSpan.Zero Then
                ' Call the common method to handle button properties and other common tasks
                UpdateUIOnTimerStop()
                Exit While ' Exit the loop if the remaining time is negative or zero
            End If

            Thread.Sleep(100) ' Adjust sleep time for smoother execution
        End While

        ' Ensure the timer label displays the stop time when timer stops
        UpdateTimerLabel(TimeSpan.Zero)

        PlayStopSound() ' Play stop sound when the timer reaches the stop time
        timerRunning = False
    End Sub

[Shaggy Hiker]

It's even less clear why you aren't just using a timer. You have three of them built into the language that do what you are doing, and do so with far less code. The Sleep(100) is a good thing, as sleeping a background thread is a good way to wait without cost, but that's what timers do anyways, and you have the same imprecision issues that a timer would have.

[Simply Me]

That's I've started so I just continue doing it and besides, I am already almost finish with my code (90/100).