multithreading - Python Game Timer (Threads?) -

i designing game in python , know how make efficient timer can run along side game.

note: using pygame.

i have timer so:

import time  seconds = 60  def start_timer():     global seconds     while seconds > 0:         print seconds         seconds -= 1         time.sleep(1) 

however, when run in main game function game hangs because of timer.sleep.

def main(self):     timer.start_timer() 

i'm pretty sure issue has not using threading, although i'm not 100% sure. can explain me proper solution is?

if you're using pygame, has own time functionality should using.

if you're using event-loop or hybrid design, loop on pygame.event.get() or similar , call "event handlers" different events mouse-click or key-down, can use set_timer create event fires every second. example:

timer1_event = pygame.userevent + 1  def start_timer1():     global seconds     seconds = 60     pygame.time.set_timer(timer1_event, 1000)  def on_timer1():     global seconds     print seconds     seconds -= 1     if seconds < 0:         pygame.time.set_timer(timer1_event, 0)  # elsewhere, inside main event loop elif event.type == timer1_event:     on_timer1() 

there simple example programs linked in docs each function; if @ examples set_timer you'll see how easy use.

if you're using pure frame loop instead, you're presumably calling clock.tick or similar, , you're going have use return value count down milliseconds since last time , decide whether you've passed integral number of seconds , when you're passed 0.