Linux "time" Command Line Options and Examples

overview of time and timers

time run the program COMMAND with any given arguments ARG...

Usage:

time [ -apqvV ] [ -f FORMAT ] [ -o FILE ] [ --append ] [ --verbose ] [ --quiet ] [ --portability ] [ --format=FORMAT ] [ --output=FILE ] [ --version ] [ --help ] COMMAND [ ARGS ]

Command Line Options:

-o

Write the resource use statistics to FILE instead of to the standard error stream. By default, thisoverwrites the file, destroying the file's previous contents. This option is useful for collectinginformation on interactive programs and programs that produce output on the standard error stream.


                            time -o ...

-a

Append the resource use information to the output file instead of overwriting it. This option is onlyuseful with the `-o' or `--output' option.


                            time -a ...

-f

Use FORMAT as the format string that controls the output of time. See the below more information.


                            time -f ...

--help

Print a summary of the command line options and exit.


                            time --help ...

-p

Use the following format string, for conformance with POSIX standard 1003.2:real %euser %Usys %S


                            time -p ...

-v

Use the built-in verbose format, which displays each available piece of information on the program'sresource use on its own line, with an English description of its meaning.


                            time -v ...

--quiet

Do not report the status of the program even if it is different from zero.


                            time --quiet ...

-V

Print the version number of time and exit.FORMATTING THE OUTPUTThe format string FORMAT controls the contents of the time output. The format string can be set using the


                            time -V ...