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How to Make the Code Wait in Python?

Published in Programming 2 mins read

In Python, you can use the time module to pause your code's execution for a specified duration. This is useful for tasks like:

  • Adding delays: You can introduce intentional pauses in your program flow.
  • Synchronization: You can coordinate actions between different parts of your code.
  • Rate limiting: You can control the frequency of certain operations.

Here's how to use the time module:

Using time.sleep()

The time.sleep() function pauses the execution of your code for a specified number of seconds.

Example:

import time

print("Starting...")
time.sleep(3)  # Wait for 3 seconds
print("Continuing after the wait...")

Using time.time() and while Loops

You can create a custom wait loop using time.time(), which returns the current time in seconds since the epoch.

Example:

import time

start_time = time.time()
while time.time() - start_time < 5:  # Wait for 5 seconds
    print("Waiting...")
print("Done waiting.")

Using asyncio for Asynchronous Waiting

For more advanced scenarios, you can utilize the asyncio module for asynchronous waiting, particularly if you're dealing with non-blocking operations.

Example:

import asyncio

async def wait_async():
    await asyncio.sleep(3)  # Wait for 3 seconds
    print("Continuing after the wait...")

asyncio.run(wait_async())

By understanding these methods, you can effectively control the execution flow of your Python code and introduce pauses when necessary.

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