setTimeout runs only once?

Question

function slide()
{
    if($('.current').is(':last-child')){
        $('.current').removeClass('.current');
        $('#imgholder').first().addClass('.current');
        $('#imgholder').animate({left: '3920px'});
    }
    else{
        $nxt=$(".current");
        $(".current").removeClass("current");
        $nxt.next().addClass("current");
        $('#imgholder').animate({left: '-=980'},{duration: 'slow', easing: 'easeOutBounce' });
        }
}
var loop_handle= setTimeout("slide()",'3000');

I have put this code in header section and the setTimeout runs only once.

Answer 1

setTimeout should only run once. You're looking for setInterval.

var loop_handle = setInterval(slide, 3000);

Also, the second argument should be a number, not a string. When the function call doesn't require any arguments, it's better to reference to the function instead of using a string. A string would be converted to a function. This function will be executed within the scope of the window.

  setInterval("slide()", 3000);
//becomes
  setInterval(Function("slide();"), 3000);