Lightning component error for setTimeout: Bind must be called on a function

Question

We had following code in our component controller of a complex application-

window.setTimeout(helper.hideSpinner(component, helper), 500);

Functionality works but give an error as displayed at the bottom of the page:

Bind must be called on a function

Answer 1

Resolution-

1. If set timeout modifies any attributes, use $A.callback-

    window.setTimeout(
        $A.getCallback(function() {
            helper.hideSpinner(component, helper)
        }), 
        500
    );
   

2. As per setTimeout documentation, use any one of the following if calling function doesn't modifies any attributes:

    window.setTimeout(
        function() { 
            helper.hideSpinner(component, helper)}, 
        500
    );        
   
    // or send function and arguments separately 
    window.setTimeout(
        helper.hideSpinner, 
        500, component, helper
    );
   

I searched on internet and didn't find any issues. We burned couple of hour to identify the cause because error message was not clear enough; at-least to us. Sharing it hereby in case some else is stuck with this problem.