[c#] What is the best way to measure execution time of a function?

Obviously I can do and DateTime.Now.After - DateTime.Now.Before but there must be something more sophisticated.

Any tips appreciated.

This question is related to c# performance benchmarking execution-time

The answer is


Tickcount is good, however i suggest running it 100 or 1000 times, and calculating an average. Not only makes it more measurable - in case of really fast/short functions, but helps dealing with some one-off effects caused by the overhead.


I would definitely advise you to have a look at System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch

And when I looked around for more about Stopwatch I found this site;

Beware of the stopwatch

There mentioned another possibility

Process.TotalProcessorTime


Use a Profiler

Your approach will work nevertheless, but if you are looking for more sophisticated approaches. I'd suggest using a C# Profiler.

The advantages they have is:

  • You can even get a statement level breakup
  • No changes required in your codebase
  • Instrumentions generally have very less overhead, hence very accurate results can be obtained.

There are many available open-source as well.


I would definitely advise you to have a look at System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch

And when I looked around for more about Stopwatch I found this site;

Beware of the stopwatch

There mentioned another possibility

Process.TotalProcessorTime


Tickcount is good, however i suggest running it 100 or 1000 times, and calculating an average. Not only makes it more measurable - in case of really fast/short functions, but helps dealing with some one-off effects caused by the overhead.


Use a Profiler

Your approach will work nevertheless, but if you are looking for more sophisticated approaches. I'd suggest using a C# Profiler.

The advantages they have is:

  • You can even get a statement level breakup
  • No changes required in your codebase
  • Instrumentions generally have very less overhead, hence very accurate results can be obtained.

There are many available open-source as well.


Use a Profiler

Your approach will work nevertheless, but if you are looking for more sophisticated approaches. I'd suggest using a C# Profiler.

The advantages they have is:

  • You can even get a statement level breakup
  • No changes required in your codebase
  • Instrumentions generally have very less overhead, hence very accurate results can be obtained.

There are many available open-source as well.


Tickcount is good, however i suggest running it 100 or 1000 times, and calculating an average. Not only makes it more measurable - in case of really fast/short functions, but helps dealing with some one-off effects caused by the overhead.


Use a Profiler

Your approach will work nevertheless, but if you are looking for more sophisticated approaches. I'd suggest using a C# Profiler.

The advantages they have is:

  • You can even get a statement level breakup
  • No changes required in your codebase
  • Instrumentions generally have very less overhead, hence very accurate results can be obtained.

There are many available open-source as well.


Tickcount is good, however i suggest running it 100 or 1000 times, and calculating an average. Not only makes it more measurable - in case of really fast/short functions, but helps dealing with some one-off effects caused by the overhead.


I would definitely advise you to have a look at System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch

And when I looked around for more about Stopwatch I found this site;

Beware of the stopwatch

There mentioned another possibility

Process.TotalProcessorTime


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