nodejs/doc/api/timers.markdown

Timers

setTimeout(callback, delay, [arg], [...])

To schedule execution of a one-time callback after delay milliseconds. Returns a timeoutId for possible use with clearTimeout(). Optionally you can also pass arguments to the callback.

It is important to note that your callback will probably not be called in exactly delay milliseconds - Node.js makes no guarantees about the exact timing of when the callback will fire, nor of the ordering things will fire in. The callback will be called as close as possible to the time specified.

clearTimeout(timeoutId)

Prevents a timeout from triggering.

setInterval(callback, delay, [arg], [...])

To schedule the repeated execution of callback every delay milliseconds. Returns a intervalId for possible use with clearInterval(). Optionally you can also pass arguments to the callback.

clearInterval(intervalId)

Stops a interval from triggering.