What are the method parameters of Java's Timer#schedule

Question

I'm currently trying to use a Timer to execute an action at set intervals.

I've taken a snippet from Stack Overflow, however it did not have an explanation, and I'm struggling to figure out what it's parameters mean.

Could someone please explain to me the parameters for the method?
It's namely the last 2 parameters, 5000, 5000 which I don't understand.

TimerTask damageInterval = new TimerTask() {
    public void run() {
        playerInfoPanel.health -= monsterDamage - playerInfoPanel.defenceLevel;
    }
};
            

inflictDamage.schedule(damageInterval, 5000, 5000);

Answer 1

JavaDocs are your friend

public void schedule(TimerTask task,
                     long delay,
                     long period)

Schedules the specified task for repeated fixed-delay execution, beginning after the specified delay. Subsequent executions take place at approximately regular intervals separated by the specified period.

In fixed-delay execution, each execution is scheduled relative to the actual execution time of the previous execution. If an execution is delayed for any reason (such as garbage collection or other background activity), subsequent executions will be delayed as well. In the long run, the frequency of execution will generally be slightly lower than the reciprocal of the specified period (assuming the system clock underlying Object.wait(long) is accurate).

Fixed-delay execution is appropriate for recurring activities that require "smoothness." In other words, it is appropriate for activities where it is more important to keep the frequency accurate in the short run than in the long run. This includes most animation tasks, such as blinking a cursor at regular intervals. It also includes tasks wherein regular activity is performed in response to human input, such as automatically repeating a character as long as a key is held down.

Parameters:
task - task to be scheduled.
delay - delay in milliseconds before task is to be executed. period - time in milliseconds between successive task executions.