C++ Cross-Platform High-Resolution Timer

Question

I\'m looking to implement a simple timer mechanism in C++. The code should work in Windows and Linux. The resolution should be as precise as possible (at least millisecond a

Answer 1

For C++03:

Boost.Timer might work, but it depends on the C function clock and so may not have good enough resolution for you.

Boost.Date_Time includes a ptime class that's been recommended on Stack Overflow before. See its docs on microsec_clock::local_time and microsec_clock::universal_time, but note its caveat that "Win32 systems often do not achieve microsecond resolution via this API."

STLsoft provides, among other things, thin cross-platform (Windows and Linux/Unix) C++ wrappers around OS-specific APIs. Its performance library has several classes that would do what you need. (To make it cross platform, pick a class like performance_counter that exists in both the winstl and unixstl namespaces, then use whichever namespace matches your platform.)

For C++11 and above:

The std::chrono library has this functionality built in. See this answer by @HowardHinnant for details.