I recently encountered an issue with an AI-generated Python program that included a while loop meant to run for an extended period, potentially months. I only noticed the problem when it overloaded my CPU and crashed the server after a day. I was advised to use time.sleep(), but I wanted to make sure I wasn't just relying on an AI's suggestion without understanding the best practices. So, I'm reaching out for advice on structuring a while loop that isn't infinite but is sufficiently responsive without hogging CPU resources. My goal is to create what's essentially a "responsive-ish loop". I don't mind throwing in a sleep when necessary, but is that a sound strategy? What are the best methods for managing this type of loop? Any resources that could deepen my understanding would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
It's tough to give a one-size-fits-all answer without knowing your exact use case. For instance, your loop might need to wait on something like a socket or message queue, which could change how often it should run. So, what are you expecting the loop to do, and how often do you want it to check for changes? That's really the first thing to clarify!
This insight really helped me focus on what I need the loop to do. I appreciate it!