You can add a delay in Python using the time.sleep() function. This function pauses the execution of your program for a specified number of seconds.
Using time.sleep()
The time.sleep() function is part of Python's built-in time module. It's a straightforward way to introduce pauses into your code.
How it Works
- The
time.sleep()function suspends the current thread's execution. - You provide the desired delay in seconds as an argument to the function.
- Once the specified time has elapsed, the program resumes execution from the next line of code.
Example
import time
print("Start")
time.sleep(2) # Pause for 2 seconds
print("End")In the code above, you will see the following occur:
- "Start" is printed to the console.
- The program pauses for 2 seconds due to
time.sleep(2). - "End" is printed to the console after the pause.
Key Characteristics
- Accuracy: The delay might not be precisely the number of seconds you specify. It could be slightly longer depending on the system's load and scheduling.
- Thread Blocking: The
time.sleep()function blocks the current thread. This means no other code within the same thread can execute during the delay.
Use Cases
You might use time.sleep() for these purposes:
- Rate Limiting: When interacting with APIs, you can prevent overloading the server by adding a delay between requests.
- Animations and Visual Effects: Introduce pauses to control the speed of animations or other visual changes.
- Testing: Pause your code while inspecting results, variables, or other information to ensure correct operation.
- User Experience: Create pauses to make console output easier to read or to introduce a short wait after a user input is received for various purposes.
Summary
The time.sleep() function from the time module is the fundamental method for adding delays in Python. It is a quick and easy method to pause the execution of your code for a specific amount of time. While using it, remember that it blocks the thread, which can impact more complex applications.
