Time Points
Represent moments in time.
Time Points is a free C++ Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the C++ Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Time Points” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Time Points” is free to read here on the web, and the C++ Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the C++ Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
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; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
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.