Time Points
Represent moments in time.
Time Points is a free C++ Academy lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 2 of 4. Any 3 lessons of this learning path are free to read in full — after that, CoddyKit PRO unlocks every lesson, plus hands-on practice with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C++ Academy learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The C++ Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.
What Is a Time Point?
A std::chrono::time_point represents a specific moment measured from a clock's epoch. It pairs a clock with a duration since that epoch.
- Returned by
clock::now(). - Subtracting two of them yields a duration.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
time_point<steady_clock> tp = steady_clock::now();
std::cout << "Captured a moment: " << (tp.time_since_epoch().count() != 0) << '\n';
return 0;
}time_since_epoch
Every time point can report its distance from the clock epoch with time_since_epoch(), which returns a duration.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
auto tp = system_clock::now();
auto d = tp.time_since_epoch();
auto s = duration_cast<seconds>(d);
std::cout << "Positive epoch seconds: " << (s.count() > 0) << '\n';
return 0;
}Subtracting Time Points
Subtracting one time point from another gives a duration, the elapsed time between the two moments.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
auto a = steady_clock::now();
auto b = steady_clock::now();
auto diff = b - a;
std::cout << "Elapsed ns is non-negative: " << (diff.count() >= 0) << '\n';
return 0;
}Adding a Duration
Adding a duration to a time point produces a new time point in the future (or past for subtraction). This is how you compute deadlines.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
using namespace std::chrono_literals;
auto now = steady_clock::now();
auto deadline = now + 10s;
std::cout << "Deadline is after now: " << std::boolalpha << (deadline > now) << '\n';
return 0;
}Comparing Time Points
Time points from the same clock support all comparison operators, letting you check whether one moment is before or after another.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
auto first = steady_clock::now();
auto second = steady_clock::now();
std::cout << std::boolalpha << (first <= second) << '\n';
return 0;
}Clock-Specific Time Points
A time point is tied to its clock's type. You cannot directly compare a system_clock time point with a steady_clock one because their epochs differ.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
system_clock::time_point sys = system_clock::now();
steady_clock::time_point mono = steady_clock::now();
std::cout << "Both captured: " << ((sys.time_since_epoch().count() != 0) && (mono.time_since_epoch().count() != 0)) << '\n';
return 0;
}Converting to time_t
system_clock::to_time_t turns a calendar time point into a C-style time_t you can format for human display.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
#include <ctime>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
auto tp = system_clock::now();
std::time_t t = system_clock::to_time_t(tp);
std::cout << "time_t is positive: " << (t > 0) << '\n';
return 0;
}from_time_t
The reverse, system_clock::from_time_t, builds a time point from a time_t value such as a stored timestamp.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
#include <ctime>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
std::time_t t = 1000000000;
auto tp = system_clock::from_time_t(t);
auto back = system_clock::to_time_t(tp);
std::cout << "Round trip ok: " << std::boolalpha << (back == t) << '\n';
return 0;
}Computing a Deadline
A common pattern: capture now(), add a timeout duration, then later compare against a fresh now() to see whether the deadline passed.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
using namespace std::chrono_literals;
auto deadline = steady_clock::now() + 0ms;
auto current = steady_clock::now();
bool expired = current >= deadline;
std::cout << "Expired: " << std::boolalpha << expired << '\n';
return 0;
}Time Point Precision
A time point's precision matches its clock's duration type. You can cast a time point to a coarser unit using time_point_cast.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
auto tp = system_clock::now();
auto secs_tp = time_point_cast<seconds>(tp);
std::cout << "Cast preserved sign: " << (secs_tp.time_since_epoch().count() > 0) << '\n';
return 0;
}Storing Timestamps
To persist a moment, convert it to a count of seconds since the epoch, store the integer, and reconstruct the time point later when needed.
#include <iostream>
#include <chrono>
int main() {
using namespace std::chrono;
auto tp = system_clock::now();
long long stored = duration_cast<seconds>(tp.time_since_epoch()).count();
std::cout << "Stored value usable: " << (stored > 0) << '\n';
return 0;
}Quick Check
Test your understanding of time point arithmetic.
Recap
You learned that a time_point:
- marks a specific moment relative to a clock's epoch
- reports its offset via
time_since_epoch() - supports adding/subtracting durations and comparisons
- converts to and from
time_tfor display and storage
Next, you will use these tools to benchmark and measure code performance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the “Time Points” lesson free?
Yes — any 3 lessons of the C++ Academy learning path, including “Time Points”, are free to read in full here on the web. After that, CoddyKit PRO unlocks every lesson, plus interactive practice with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. The C++ Academy course includes 4 lessons in total.
What will I learn in “Time Points”?
Represent moments in time. You practise C++ Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start C++ Academy?
No prior experience is required. C++ Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 2 of 4.
How long does the “Time Points” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this C++ Academy lesson?
Yes. Every C++ Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.