continuously update value in entry - xamarin.forms

Question

I am still beginner in Xamarin .
I created an application to connect with machine using Mobile app ( Xamarin.forms ).
I created a button , when clicked , i receive the data ( number of product produced ) in a Entry ( read only ) .
<ContentPage Title="Production Data">
<StackLayout>
<Label Text="Packs Produced"></Label>
<Entry x:Name="Packs" IsReadOnly="True"></Entry>
<Button x:Name="ReadData" Text="Read" Clicked="ReadData_Clicked"></Button>
</StackLayout>
</ContentPage>
Then
private void ReadData_Clicked(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
Packs.Text = string.Format();
}
I need to update the packs.text every 5 sec .
I did the same with another application using windows Form using timer ( when ReadData button is clicked , it enable the timer ) and timer_tick ( to read the data every 5 second).
Could this be done using xiamarin ?

Answer 1

I did the same with another application using windows Form using timer ( when ReadData button is clicked , it enable the timer ) and timer_tick ( to read the data every 5 second).Could this be done using xiamarin ?
If you want to do something like Timer in Xamarin.forms Android, you could try code below.
Device.StartTimer(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30), () =>
{
// Do something
return true; // True = Repeat again, False = Stop the timer
});
I use the number i to update the value in entry each 5 seconds for your reference.
private void ReadData_Clicked(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
int i = 0;
Device.StartTimer(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5), () =>
{
// Do something
Packs.Text = i.ToString();
i++;
return true; // True = Repeat again, False = Stop the timer
});
}
If you want to do more in IOS, UWP, you could check the code in the link.
https://xamarinhelp.com/xamarin-forms-timer/

Answer 2

You can implement this by easily using Matcha.BackgroundService plugin.More info https://github.com/winstongubantes/MatchaBackgroundService
You can initiate the task on every X seconds or minutes using this plugin.
In your button click, You can start the timer service like
private void Button_Tapped(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
//Register Periodic Tasks
BackgroundAggregatorService.Add(() => new PeriodicCall(5));
//Start the background service
BackgroundAggregatorService.StartBackgroundService();
Device.BeginInvokeOnMainThread( () =>
{
Packs.Text = string.Format();
});
}
Create a class named PeriodicCall and in your Periodic Call
public class PeriodicCall : IPeriodicTask
{
public PeriodicCallTest(int seconds)
{
Interval = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(seconds);
}
public TimeSpan Interval { get; set; }
public Task<bool> StartJob()
{
// Messeging center used for updating the value.
MessagingCenter.Send<Object>(new Object(), "FetchValue");
return true;
}
}
In your xaml.cs where you want to get the value
MessagingCenter.Subscribe<Object>(this, "FetchValue", async (sender) =>
{
Device.BeginInvokeOnMainThread( () =>
{
Packs.Text = string.Format();
});
});