java - Background job running without affecting the rest of the gui -

i'm asking assistance concerning general approach.

i have written java code check mailbox unread mails on buttonclick.

now want code permanently run in background , check mailbox every 2 minutes.

bad idea:

while(true) { checkmails(); thread.sleep(120000); } 

the rest of graphical interface freezes, there has happen magic threads, suppose.

how realized?

either use javax.swing.timer, or swingworker, although latter bit overkill in scenario.

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if task not modify swing components, why not spawn separate thread, such

thread t = new thread(new runnable(){     @override     public void run(){         while(!thread.currentthread().isinterrupted()){             //do stuff              try{                 thread.sleep(120000);             }catch(interruptedexception e){                 thread.currentthread().interrupt();             }         }     } }); t.start(); 

it's important note you'll want use boolean ensure thread created once, since there's potential new thread spawn each button click, not want.