CODEWITHSUNDEEP
pythonunixpython-3.x
Eric T
Eric T

Reputation: 1026

How can I exit a Python3 script after 5 minutes

I have a script that was copying data from SD card. Due to the huge amount of files/filesize, this might take a longer period of time than expected. I would like to exit this script after 5 minutes. How can I do so?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 3222

Answers (2)

FinalState
FinalState

Reputation: 91

Here, the threading module comes in handily:

import threading

def eternity(): # your method goes here
    while True:
        pass

t=threading.Thread(target=eternity) # create a thread running your function
t.start()                           # let it run using start (not run!)
t.join(3)                           # join it, with your timeout in seconds

Upvotes: 1

seaotternerd
seaotternerd

Reputation: 6419

It's hard to verify that this will work without any example code, but you could try something like this, using the signal module:

At the beginning of your code, define a handler for the alarm signal.

import signal

def handler(signum, frame):
    print 'Times up! Exiting..."
    exit(0)

Before you start the long process, add a line like this to your code:

#Install signal handler
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, handler)

#Set alarm for 5 minutes
signal.alarm(300)

In 5 minutes, your program will receive the alarm signal, which will call the handler, which will exit. You can also do other things in the handler if you want.

Upvotes: 4

Related Questions