Time Measurement in C++

Measuring the time taken by an algorithm can be done using the <chrono> library in C++. Here is an example on a sorting algorithm. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to measure the time of a function using this library:

1. Include the Necessary Headers: Include the necessary header files for using the <chrono> library:

   #include <iostream>
   #include <chrono>
   

2. Choose a Clock Type: <chrono> provides different clock types. The std::chrono::high_resolution_clock is commonly used for measuring short durations with high precision.

3. Define the Function to Be Measured: Define the function you want to measure. For example, let’s say you have a sorting function called mySort:

   void mySort(std::vector<int>& arr) {
       // Your sorting logic here
   }
   

4. Measure the Time: Use the <chrono> library to measure the time taken by the function:

   int main() {
       // Create an array to be sorted
       std::vector<int> arr = { ... }; // Your array data here
   
        // Start the clock
        auto start = std::chrono::high_resolution_clock::now();
   
       // Call the function to be measured
       mySort(arr);
   
       // Stop the clock
       auto end = std::chrono::high_resolution_clock::now();
   
       // Calculate the duration
       std::chrono::duration<double> duration = end - start;
   
       // Print the duration in seconds
       std::cout << "Function took " << duration.count() << " seconds." << std::endl;
   
       return 0;
   }
   

5. Run and Observe: Compile and run your program. You’ll see the time taken by the mySort function printed in seconds.

Remember, the timing results may vary based on system load, compiler optimizations, and other factors. It’s a good practice to run the function multiple times and calculate the average time for more accurate results.