Java execute method using a Date object

Question

Right now my program accepts an input, and formats it into a Date. But I want it to call a method whenever that date is reached. How could I do this without the use of any libraries like Quartz?

Code I have for the input:

                Date date = new Date();
                String inputDate;
                month = (String) comboBoxMonth.getSelectedItem();
                day = Integer.parseInt((String) comboBoxDay.getSelectedItem());
                hours = Integer.parseInt((String) comboBoxTimeH.getSelectedItem());
                minutes = Integer.parseInt((String) comboBoxTimeM.getSelectedItem());

                try {
                    //Month/Day/Year Hour:minute:second
                    inputDate = month + "/" + day + "/" + year + " " + hours + ":" + minutes;
                    date = formatter.parse(inputDate);
                } catch (ParseException e) {
                    e.printStackTrace();
                }

@SparshKhandelwal I added my input code – Arman Apr 26 '15 at 18:11 — Arman, Apr 26 '15 at 18:11

antoniodvr · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-26T18:18:43.187

1

You can use Timer and TimerTask object.

Timer timer = new Timer ();
TimerTask myTask = new TimerTask () {
    @Override
    public void run () {
        // call your method here
    }
};

// Schedule the task. Start it when your date is reached!
timer.schedule(myTask, yourDate);

Timer object allow you to handle multiple TimerTask instance!

edited Apr 26 '15 at 18:18

answered Apr 26 '15 at 18:16

antoniodvr

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I don't want it to occur hourly, I just want it to happen once whenever "date" is reached. – Arman Apr 26 '15 at 18:18
Thanks, your help is very appreciated! :) – Arman Apr 26 '15 at 18:21

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 26 '15 at 18:11

0

After the line where you parse the date, add t.schedule(task, date), where 't' is a Timer, and 'task' is a TimerTask that represents the method you want to be executed at the given date.

answered Apr 26 '15 at 18:11

Martin M J

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score 0 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:58

The Timer class mentioned in another Answer is the old way.

Executor

As of Java 5, the modern way is the Executors suite of interfaces and classes, specifically the ScheduledExecutorService.

Be sure to read up, including searching StackOverflow for more info. Specifically, be aware that any uncaught exception bubbling up to your main code running in the Executor will cause service to cease. Any future scheduled runs of your code will be terminated. The solution is simple: Always surround the main code of your executor with a try-catch to catch any Exception (and maybe even Error, or, Throwable).

Never Use `Timer` In Servlet/JaveEE

Most especially, do not use Timer in a Servlet or Java EE (Enterprise Edition) app. See this Answer by BalusC for details.

Java execute method using a Date object

3 Answers3

Executor

Never Use Timer In Servlet/JaveEE

Never Use `Timer` In Servlet/JaveEE