function::udelay - Linux

Overview

udelay is a handy command that allows you to introduce a delay in microseconds in a Linux terminal. This functionality is commonly used for testing and debugging purposes, especially when it comes to optimizing the performance of scripts or specific processes.

Syntax

udelay [OPTIONS] MICROSECONDS

Options/Flags

-h, –help: Displays detailed help and usage information for the command.

Examples

Simple delay: Introduce a 100 microsecond delay.
```
udelay 100
```
Delay with variable: Use a variable to specify the delay duration.
```
DELAY=250
udelay $DELAY
```
Nested delays: Create multiple nested delays for finer control.
```
udelay 500
udelay 200
udelay 100
```

Common Issues

Incorrect input: Ensure that you specify the delay duration in microseconds. Other units (e.g., milliseconds) are not supported.

Timing accuracy: The actual delay duration may slightly vary depending on system load and hardware capabilities.

Integration

Combining with other commands: udelay can be integrated with other commands using piping or command substitution. For example, to pause a process for a specified duration:

echo "Pause for 100 microseconds..."
udelay 100

Automating delays: Use udelay in shell scripts to automate tasks that require precise timing. This is useful for optimizing performance or simulating user interactions.

Related Commands

sleep: Provides a more versatile way to introduce delays in seconds.
usleep: Similar to udelay but with a finer resolution in terms of delay duration (in microseconds).