Meeting C++ 2026 - The Clocks of C++: Knowing When (and Why) to Use Each One

Sandor Dargo

On Day 3 at 11:40 (CET/Berlin) in Track E [Bernstein Room and online]

Time handling in C++ looks simple — but it has some caveats. Between system_clock, steady_clock, high_resolution_clock, and a few new friends from C++20, it’s easy to pick the wrong one and end up with flaky tests, wrong timestamps, or confusing results.

This talk demystifies how time works in C++. We’ll explore what a "clock" really is, how std::chrono models it, and why not all clocks tick the same way. You'll learn when to use each standard clock, how to reason about monotonicity and precision, and how to build your own custom or fake clocks to make testing reliable.

By the end, you'll not only understand the difference between wall time and steady time — you'll know how to use them confidently in your production and test code.

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