timeit

Learn to benchmark with timeit.

What is timeit?

The timeit module measures the execution time of small code snippets. timeit.timeit(expr, number=N) runs expr N times and returns the total time in seconds.

This is the standard tool for comparing two solutions. For example you learn how long sum(range(100)) takes. The number argument sets the repetition count; it is kept high for small expressions. Since the result depends on hardware and load, you use it for comparison rather than printing the value.

The number argument

The number argument sets how many times the measurement repeats. The default is 100000, which is for very short expressions.

For longer expressions you must lower number; otherwise the measurement takes too long. For example timeit.timeit("sum(range(100))", number=100) does 100 repetitions. The result is the total time; for the average you divide by number. For accuracy keep the computer idle; background work can affect the result.

Exercise Measure with timeit

Import the module with import timeit. Assign timeit.timeit("sum(range(100))", number=100) to a variable. Then write print("ölçü alındı"). Do not print the measurement result; print only the fixed message.

Show example solution

import timeit

t = timeit.timeit("sum(range(100))", number=100)
print("measurement done")

Test yourself

Match timeit concepts

timeit

Measures time
number

Repetition count
timeit.timeit

Total time
expr

Measured expression
What does timeit.timeit return?
```
import timeit
t = timeit.timeit('sum(range(10))', number=100)
```
- The repetition count
- Average time
- Total time in seconds
- An error
Show answer

Total time in seconds — timeit.timeit returns the total time in seconds.

Complete the timeit call

t = timeit.____("sum(range(100))", number=100)

Show answer

t = timeit.timeit("sum(range(100))", number=100)

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