sleep - macOS

Overview

The sleep command in macOS is a versatile tool that suspends or delays script execution for a specified duration. It provides flexibility for managing timing within scripts and controlling the flow of processes.

Syntax

Basic Syntax:

sleep [duration]

Extended Syntax:

sleep [options] [duration]

Options/Flags

-h, –help: Display the help message.
-i, –interactive: Pause execution and wait for user input before proceeding. This option is only available in interactive shells.

Examples

Simple Usage:

Suspend execution for 5 seconds:
```
sleep 5
```

Complex Usage with Options:

Suspend execution and wait for user input:
```
sleep -i
```

Common Issues

Argument Error: Ensure that the duration specified in the argument is a valid positive integer or decimal.
Invalid Usage in Non-Interactive Shells: -i (interactive input) option is not supported in non-interactive shells like scripts or cron jobs.

Integration

sleep can be integrated with other shell commands to create complex tasks:

Delayed Execution: Delay the execution of a command by a specific time:
```
sleep 10; command
```
Batch File Processing: Introduce pauses between multiple loops or processes to avoid overloading the system:
```
for i in file*; do
  command "$i"
  sleep 1
done
```

timex: Provide detailed information about the system’s sleep settings.
pmset: Manage power settings, including sleep and wake schedules.
crontab: Schedule tasks to be executed at specific times, which can be combined with sleep for precise timing.