NAME

alarm − set a process alarm clock

SYNOPSIS

unsigned alarm (sec)
unsigned sec;

DESCRIPTION

alarm instructs the alarm clock of the calling process to send the signal SIGALRM to the calling process after the number of real time seconds specified by sec have elapsed [see signal(2)].

Alarm requests are not stacked; successive calls reset the alarm clock of the calling process. 

If sec is 0, any previously made alarm request is canceled. 

SEE ALSO

pause(2), signal(2), sigpause(2), sigset(2). 

DIAGNOSTICS

alarm returns the amount of time previously remaining in the alarm clock of the calling process. 

September 02, 1992