Global ObjectDate and TimeFactory Global

Stopwatch(label?)

Stopwatch is used for date, duration, and timing operations. It also behaves as a callable global factory.

Detailed Explanation

This section explains when to use the API, how to call it, and which structures it works best with in production flow.

What It Does

Stopwatch(label?) is the main entry point for this object family. Use it to understand the responsibility of the namespace before diving into the methods below it. Stopwatch is used for date, duration, and timing operations. It also behaves as a callable global factory.

When To Use It

For time flow, combine DateTime, TimeSpan, and Stopwatch with logging, timeout control, and performance measurement. This API becomes most valuable in multi-step chained scenarios.

Parameters and Return

label define the purpose of the call; preparing them in clearly named variables before execution makes production debugging easier. This entry is a namespace or helper object overview; the real flow is built with the methods listed below it.

Best Combined With

A strong combination is to measure with Stopwatch, log with DateTime, and compare durations with TimeSpan.

Example Usage

The snippet below is a starter pattern that can be applied directly in runtime flow.

-- Stopwatch:start
local result = Stopwatch:start({})
-- Use the result in your script flow

Copyable Progressive Examples

From foundation to combined usage, each level is provided as a separate code block so you can copy the level you need and adapt it directly.

Foundation

Shows the shortest direct way to call the API.

Foundation
-- Stopwatch:start
local result = Stopwatch:start({})
-- Use the result in your script flow

Simple

Wraps the base call with minimal flow control.

Simple
-- Stopwatch:start
local result = Stopwatch:start({})
-- Use the result in your script flow

-- Continue with one focused method on the object.

Practical Flow

A practical pattern for real macros with pcall, logging, and guards.

Practical Flow
-- Stopwatch:start
local result = Stopwatch:start({})
-- Use the result in your script flow
local note = "Stopwatch overview loaded"
print(note)

Detailed

This level packages the API into a reusable helper with error reporting.

Detailed
-- For time flow, combine DateTime, TimeSpan, and Stopwatch with logging, timeout control, and performance measurement.
local function run_stopwatch_step()
  -- Stopwatch:start
  local result = Stopwatch:start({})
  -- Use the result in your script flow
end

local ok, err = pcall(run_stopwatch_step)
if not ok then
  toast("Step failed")
  print(err)
end

Combined

Combines the API with related structures to form a more realistic workflow.

Combined
local watch = Stopwatch.startNew()
-- Stopwatch:start
local result = Stopwatch:start({})
-- Use the result in your script flow
local elapsed = watch:elapsedMilliseconds()
print("Elapsed: " .. tostring(elapsed))