Calculating time spent inside the loop in javascript.

Question

How to check the number of seconds(or ms) spent inside the particular loop in javascript. I have a sorting algo implemented in javascript , now I am using bubble sort , I want to use quick sort. I know in terms of time efficiency Quick sort is good. But I want to calculate the real number of sec or milli sec spent inside the innermost loop. How do I do in javascript ?

Answer 1

The simplest method is to compare by Date.

var old_time = new Date();
...
var new_time = new Date();
var seconds_passed = new_time - old_time;

By the way, why don't you just use the built-in .sort() (https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Core_JavaScript_1.5_Reference/Objects/Array/sort) method?

Answer 2

Time is not really accurate on most browsers, you can expect a margin of error about of 15ms:

var start = (new Date).getTime();
/* Your code. */
var diff = (new Date).getTime() - start;

Recommended read:

• Accuracy of JavaScript Time

Answer 3

Others have already answered how to do the time calculation, so I'll reply to your comment: "I am sorting array of objects where I sort depending on one of the property of the object. so built-in sort I cannot use."

That's not true at all, you can still use the built in sort:

var arr = [{ text: 'test', id: 2 }, { text: 'abc', id: 6 }, { text: 'xyz', id: 4 }];
arr.sort(function(x,y) { return x.text > y.text ? 1 : x.text < y.text ? -1 : 0 });