[Programming][Lua][Question] Making a timer?

How do I make a timer? I know you can make a timer with os.startTimer(x). But I want a timer where you can still type and do other stuff in the program. Anyone know how to do this? If so, please respond. Thank you in advance.

It triggers an event

os.startTimer(1)
while true do
  event, p1 = os.pullEvent("timer")
  if event then
    break -- Or any code here
  end
end

This is great, except I can't type, let's say, a password. Other than that, this is great.

Edit: I actually don't know what you wanted ><

So basically a timed system for entering a password? like if you don't enter the password in 30 sec you get locked out of the computer?

Hmmm.. I belive coroutine would help. Although, i've never used it before so I do not know how to use it.

Try using parallel (which uses coroutine, but handles them for you):

local input = ""
function timeOut()
	local timer = os.startTimer(30)
	while true do
		local event, param = os.pullEvent("timer")
		if param = timer then break end
	end
end

function getInput()
	input = read("*")
end

parallel.waitForAny(timeOut, getInput)

Thank you. I'll try this and get back to you on it. This should help.

EDIT: This does help! Thank you so much.