Measure Elapsed Time Accurately: Techniques for Tracking Time Intervals and Durations in Python

Get started quickly with precise timing measurements, avoiding pitfalls and utilizing helpful tips & tricks

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Knowledge of measuring time intervals and duration is vital in optimizing performance, benchmarking algorithms, simulating delays, and conducting experiments. Python boasts multiple approaches for tracking time spans, each offering distinct advantages depending upon context.

This concise yet informative tutorial illuminates effective strategies for accurately capturing time intervals alongside valuable insights and best practices.

Utilizing the time Module

Python’s built-in time module houses essential functionality for monitoring execution periods, sleep management, and clock access. As illustrated below, measure elapsed wall-clock time with minimal overhead, suitable for rudimentary benchmarks and brief processes.

Example: Capture total runtime of a simple loop operation

import time

start_time = time.perf_counter()
for i in range(10):
    pass
end_time = time.perf_counter()
elapsed_time = end_time - start_time

print(f"Total runtime was…