What does '%% time' mean in python-3?

Question

What does %%time mean in python? I am using python 3 and have some source code containing

%%time

Does this call the time module? or does it have another function?

Full code or at least a snippet would be ideal to give you more precice answers. Also: Have you tried running the code to see what it does? — FlyingTeller, Mar 21 '18 at 10:17
like here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/32565829/simple-way-to-measure-cell-execution-time-in-ipython-notebook — Jean-François Fabre, Mar 21 '18 at 10:19

score 85 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 25 '19 at 00:48

85

%%time is a magic command. It's a part of IPython.

%%time prints the wall time for the entire cell whereas %time gives you the time for first line only

Using %%time or %time prints 2 values:

You can read more about it in the documentation

edited Aug 25 '19 at 00:48

m_____z

answered Mar 21 '18 at 10:43

Vedant Shetty

2

When I use %%time in the beginning of the cell and run the particular cell, I get only the Wall time and not the CPU time. Also, could you clarify if the wall times and cpu times are expected to change every execution (without changing the code)? – bobthebuilder May 14 '20 at 06:57
1

@bobthebuilder I didn't have the same problem. Also, for your 2nd question, your computer/server might be idle or busy from time to time, therefore the CPU times are expected to vary in each execution. – Raptor Mar 07 '23 at 14:09

1 Answers1