How do different timing methods compare in programming?

How do different timing methods compare in programming?

There are several timing methods in programming, such as wall-clock time, CPU time, and high-resolution timers. Each has its own use cases and accuracy levels.

What are the pros and cons of using wall-clock time?

Wall-clock time is easy to use and understand, but it can be affected by system load and other processes running on the machine.

What about CPU time? Is it more reliable?

Yes, CPU time measures the actual time the CPU spends on a task, making it more reliable for performance analysis, but it may not reflect real-world performance.

Can you explain high-resolution timers?

High-resolution timers provide very precise timing measurements, often in nanoseconds, which is useful for benchmarking and performance testing.

Which method should I use for my project?

It depends on your project's requirements. For general performance, CPU time is often best, but for real-world scenarios, wall-clock time might be more relevant.