Displaying a modal "busy" dialog while sorting a table

[frosted74@gmail.com]

Hi,

I have 2 javascript functions, one that sorts a table and one that
shows/hides a modal dialog that displays something like "Sorting" with
a little icon indicating that the browser is "busy" and you need to
wait. This is done because on larger tables the sort routine can take
upwards of 10 seconds. I try the following code:

<th onclick="showMo dal(); sort(this); hideModal();">s ome header</th>

but unfortunately the modal code is never displayed. If I throw in an
alert, it will display properly, but this seems to be a timing/
redrawing issue. This app only has to work for IE, but I'd like it to
work across all browsers. I tried throwing in a couple setTimeOut's
in there, but no luck so far, I even tried to simulate clicks on
different hidden form elements which would cause the panels to be
shown/hidden and even sorting, but all with no luck. Has anyone
encountered anything similar to this and gotten it to work? Any help
is appreciated!

Thanks!

[GArlington]

Re: Displaying a modal &quot;busy&quot ; dialog while sorting a table

On Feb 14, 4:03 pm, froste...@gmail .com wrote:

Hi,
>
I have 2 javascript functions, one that sorts a table and one that
shows/hides a modal dialog that displays something like "Sorting" with
a little icon indicating that the browser is "busy" and you need to
wait. This is done because on larger tables the sort routine can take
upwards of 10 seconds. I try the following code:
>
<th onclick="showMo dal(); sort(this); hideModal();">s ome header</th>
>
but unfortunately the modal code is never displayed. If I throw in an
alert, it will display properly, but this seems to be a timing/
redrawing issue. This app only has to work for IE, but I'd like it to
work across all browsers. I tried throwing in a couple setTimeOut's
in there, but no luck so far, I even tried to simulate clicks on
different hidden form elements which would cause the panels to be
shown/hidden and even sorting, but all with no luck. Has anyone
encountered anything similar to this and gotten it to work? Any help
is appreciated!
>
Thanks!

What is in your showModal()?
The code would be more helpful than a description...

[Jeremy J Starcher]

Re: Displaying a modal &quot;busy&quot ; dialog while sorting a table

On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:03:25 -0800, frosted74 wrote:

Hi,
>
I have 2 javascript functions, one that sorts a table and one that
shows/hides a modal dialog that displays something like "Sorting" with a
little icon indicating that the browser is "busy" and you need to wait.
This is done because on larger tables the sort routine can take upwards
of 10 seconds. I try the following code:
>
<th onclick="showMo dal(); sort(this); hideModal();">s ome header</th>
>
but unfortunately the modal code is never displayed. If I throw in an
alert, it will display properly, but this seems to be a timing/
redrawing issue. This app only has to work for IE, but I'd like it to
work across all browsers. I tried throwing in a couple setTimeOut's in
there, but no luck so far, I even tried to simulate clicks on different
hidden form elements which would cause the panels to be shown/hidden and
even sorting, but all with no luck. Has anyone encountered anything
similar to this and gotten it to work? Any help is appreciated!
>
Thanks!

I've run into this before, browsers not updating the screen until after
the Javascript has finished.

call a function that:
updates your screen
sets a timout to call the sort function (minimal delay)

Then your sort function finishes and hides the busy message.

(I don't know what sort algorithm you are using, but a couple of them can
[semi] easily be modified to run in 'spurts' on a timeout. This would
keep things from appearing locked up.)

[frosted74@gmail.com]

Re: Displaying a modal &quot;busy&quot ; dialog while sorting a table

On Feb 14, 12:13 pm, GArlington <garling...@tis cali.co.ukwrote :

On Feb 14, 4:03 pm, froste...@gmail .com wrote:
>
>
>

Hi,

>

I have 2 javascript functions, one that sorts a table and one that
shows/hides a modal dialog that displays something like "Sorting" with
a little icon indicating that the browser is "busy" and you need to
wait. This is done because on larger tables the sort routine can take
upwards of 10 seconds. I try the following code:

>

<th onclick="showMo dal(); sort(this); hideModal();">s ome header</th>

>

but unfortunately the modal code is never displayed. If I throw in an
alert, it will display properly, but this seems to be a timing/
redrawing issue. This app only has to work for IE, but I'd like it to
work across all browsers. I tried throwing in a couple setTimeOut's
in there, but no luck so far, I even tried to simulate clicks on
different hidden form elements which would cause the panels to be
shown/hidden and even sorting, but all with no luck. Has anyone
encountered anything similar to this and gotten it to work? Any help
is appreciated!

>

Thanks!

>
What is in your showModal()?
The code would be more helpful than a description...

The showModal() called a function of RichFaces, which is a JSF-API
from Exadel. The method itself is really inconsequential , it works on
its own, it's just when called in combination with the other functions
it ceases to work properly. The solution presented by Jeremy works,
thanks! I am wondering though, is there some instances where
setTimeout will not work properly if the client is on a slower
machine? I am concerned because the "modal" window popping up
prevents the user from any other interaction on the page, and the end
of my method removes that window and resumes normal operation. I
guess I'm just worried about that 'window' being stuck on the screen.
Right now I am using a 20ms timeout, have you found a sweet spot for a
timeout?

Thanks again, your help is appreciated!