delay interference

Using Arduino Programming Questions
#1

i have this code in which a timer is implemented for 1 second and have two buttons. once the first button is pushed the timer starts, however i have added a delay(1000) so i have to hold down the button to stop the timer. i want the timer to stop with one quick push rather then holding it down. can any help me

if (buttonState == HIGH) {
    unusual = 1;
    check = 1;
  }

if(check == 1){
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  
    s2++; 

 if(s2 == 10){
   s += 1;
   s2 = 0;
   
 if(s == 6){
   m2 += 1;
   s = 0;
   
    if(m2 == 10){
   m += 1;
   m2 = 0;
    }
 
 }
 
 
 }
 delay(1000); // im sure this is the issue
 
    }
  

}


   if (buttonState2 == HIGH && buttonState == LOW) { 
    check = 2;
    //Serial.println("check 2 Set");
  } 


if(check == 2 && unusual == 1){

  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
  
  delay(2000);
  Serial.print(dog);
  Serial.print(",");
  Serial.print(m);
  Serial.print(m2);
  Serial.print(":");
  Serial.print(s);
  Serial.println(s2);
  delay(500);
}
#2

Take a look at the IDE’s “BlinkWithoutDelay” example, and this:-
Demonstration code for several things at the same time

You problem is definitely the delays. They’re blocking, so you need to learn how to use ‘millis()’-based timing.

You need to use better variable names, too, not just s, s2, m2 etc. Make them relate to their purpose.

And when posting code, please post all of it, not just a snippet, so it can be loaded into an IDE and tested.

#3