comparison lispref/os.texi @ 79198:d2c45585a2f5

(Idle Timers): current-idle-time returns nil if not idle.

79197:05ea1c83f761

input.  Then it becomes idle again, and all the idle timers that are
set up to repeat will subsequently run another time, one by one.

@c Emacs 19 feature
@defun current-idle-time
This function returns the length of time Emacs has been idle, as a
list of three integers: @code{(@var{high} @var{low} @var{microsec})}.
The integers @var{high} and @var{low} combine to give the number of
seconds of idleness, which is
@ifnottex
@var{high} * 2**16 + @var{low}.
@end ifnottex
@tex
$high*2^{16}+low$.
@end tex

The third element, @var{microsec}, gives the microseconds since the
start of the current second (or 0 for systems that return time with
the resolution of only one second).

The main use of this function is when an idle timer function wants to
``take a break'' for a while.  It can set up another idle timer to
call the same function again, after a few seconds more idleness.
Here's an example:

79198:d2c45585a2f5

input.  Then it becomes idle again, and all the idle timers that are
set up to repeat will subsequently run another time, one by one.

@c Emacs 19 feature
@defun current-idle-time
If Emacs is idle, this function returns the length of time Emacs has
been idle, as a list of three integers: @code{(@var{high} @var{low}
@var{microsec})}.  The integers @var{high} and @var{low} combine to
give the number of seconds of idleness, which is
@ifnottex
@var{high} * 2**16 + @var{low}.
@end ifnottex
@tex
$high*2^{16}+low$.
@end tex

The third element, @var{microsec}, gives the microseconds since the
start of the current second (or 0 for systems that return time with
the resolution of only one second).

When Emacs is not idle, @code{current-idle-time} returns @code{nil}.
This is a convenient way to test whether Emacs is idle.

The main use of this function is when an idle timer function wants to
``take a break'' for a while.  It can set up another idle timer to
call the same function again, after a few seconds more idleness.
Here's an example: