# glue-reference-screens-pauseadjustedsecondssince

### Introduction

The PauseAdjustedSecondsSince method returns the number of seconds that have passed since the argument time, not including time spent paused. This method is similar to the [TimeManager.SecondSince](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php) method, however it does not include the amount of time that the current Screen has spent paused. This method is purely a convenience method - it does not provide any functionality beyond subtracting the current time from a given time and returning the result; however it may be more expressive to use in certain situations improving the readability of code. For information on pause-adjusted timing, see [the PauseAdjustedCurrentTime page](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php).

### Code Example - Performing some action after a set amount of time

You can use PauseAdjustedSecondsSince to see how long the Screen has been around and compare it to a fixed number. To check if the Screen has been around for a certain amount of time:

```lang:c#
const double TimeToWait = 4;
double timeScreenHasBeenAlive = PauseAdjustedSecondsSince(0);

if(timeScreenHasBeenAlive > TimeToWait)
{
    // Do some action here
}
```

### Code Example - Performing a repeating action

PauseAdjustedSecondsSince can be used to perform an action after a certain amount of time has passed. The following code shows how to perform an action every 5 seconds:

```
// Assuming lastTimePerformed is a valid double:

const double Frequency = 5;

if(PauseAdjustedSecondsSince(lastTimePerformed) >= Frequency)
{
    lastTimePerformed += Frequency;
    // Do the action here
}
```

### Code Example - Displaying time Screen has been alive

The following code shows how to create a countdown timer. It assumes that your Screen has a valid Text object called CountDownText

```
// 0 means when the Screen was first created.  The code below
// will display how many seconds the Screen has been in existence
CountDownText.DisplayText = this.PauseAdjustedSecondsSince(0);
```

### Code Example - Performing Timed Logic in Entities

Entities can limit the frequency of an action (such as firing a bullet) using the PauseAdjustedSecondsSince method. The following code limits shooting bullets using the SecondsBetweenShots variable:

```lang:c#
double lastTimeBulletShot;

void CustomActivity()
{
    if(ShootingInput.WasJustPressed && 
        ScreenManager.CurrentScreen.PauseAdjustedSecondsSince(lastTimeBulletShot) > SecondsBetweenShots)
    {
        // fire bullet
        lastTimeBulletShot = ScreenManager.CurrentScreen.PauseAdjustedCurrentTime;
    }

}
```


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