How Accurate is Python\'s `time.sleep()` Function for Precise Timing?

The Reliability of Python's time.sleep() Function

When dealing with precise timing tasks, it's crucial to understand the accuracy of the sleep function in various programming languages. Python's time.sleep() is no exception.

Accuracy of Floating-Point Arguments

While it's possible to provide floating-point arguments to time.sleep(), such as 0.5 for a 500 ms delay, the actual accuracy depends on the underlying operating system's sleep implementation.

Time Resolution Limitations

In non-real-time operating systems like Windows, the minimum sleep interval is approximately 10-13 ms. This means that arguments below this threshold, such as 0.05 for a 50 ms delay, will result in sleeps closer to 10-13 ms rather than the desired 50 ms.

For more accurate sleeps, a loop can be used to ensure the desired sleep duration is met. Additionally, Linux users with the RT_PREEMPT patch set or a non-real-time Linux kernel with a minimum sleep interval closer to 1 ms may experience better accuracy.

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