How Can I Exit A Python3 Script After 5 Minutes

I have a script that was copying data from SD card. Due to the huge amount of files/filesize, this might take a longer period of time than expected. I would like to exit this scrip

Solution 1:

It's hard to verify that this will work without any example code, but you could try something like this, using the signal module:

At the beginning of your code, define a handler for the alarm signal.

import signal

defhandler(signum, frame):
    print 'Times up! Exiting..."
    exit(0)

Before you start the long process, add a line like this to your code:

#Install signal handler
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, handler)

#Set alarm for 5 minutes
signal.alarm(300)

In 5 minutes, your program will receive the alarm signal, which will call the handler, which will exit. You can also do other things in the handler if you want.

Solution 2:

Here, the threading module comes in handily:

import threading

defeternity(): # your method goes herewhileTrue:
        pass

t=threading.Thread(target=eternity) # create a thread running your function
t.start()                           # let it run using start (not run!)
t.join(3)                           # join it, with your timeout in seconds