SLEEP(1,C)                  AIX Commands Reference                   SLEEP(1,C)



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sleep



PURPOSE

Suspends execution for an interval.

SYNTAX


sleep -- seconds --|


DESCRIPTION

The sleep command suspends execution of a process for the interval specified by
seconds.  seconds can range from 1 to 65,536 seconds.

EXAMPLES

  1. To run a command after a certain amount of time has passed:

      echo  "SYSTEM SHUTDOWN IN 10 MINUTES!" | wall
      (sleep 300; echo "SYSTEM SHUTDOWN IN 5 MINUTES!" | wall) &
      (sleep 540; echo "SYSTEM SHUTDOWN IN 1 MINUTE!" | wall) &
      (sleep 600; shutdown)  &

    This command sequence warns all users 10 minutes, 5 minutes, and 1 minute
    before the system is shut down.

  2. To run a command at regular intervals:

      while true
      do
         date
         sleep 60
      done

    This shell procedure displays the date and time once a minute.  To stop it,
    press INTERRUPT (Ctrl-C).

RELATED INFORMATION

See the following commands:  "shutdown" and "wall."

See the alarm  system call and the sleep, pause, and signal subroutines in AIX
Operating System Technical Reference.






Processed November 8, 1990        SLEEP(1,C)                                  1