C++ Cross-Platform High-Resolution Timer
c++, cross-platform, timer
Solution
For C++03:
Boost.Timer might work, but it depends on the C function `clock` and so may not have good enough resolution for you.
Boost.Date_Time includes a `ptime` class that's been recommended on Stack Overflow before. See its docs on `microsec_clock::local_time` and `microsec_clock::universal_time`, but note its caveat that "Win32 systems often do not achieve microsecond resolution via this API."
STLsoft provides, among other things, thin cross-platform (Windows and Linux/Unix) C++ wrappers around OS-specific APIs. Its performance library has several classes that would do what you need. (To make it cross platform, pick a class like `performance_counter` that exists in both the `winstl` and `unixstl` namespaces, then use whichever namespace matches your platform.)
For C++11 and above:
The `std::chrono` library has this functionality built in. See this answer by @HowardHinnant for details.
Problem
I'm looking to implement a simple timer mechanism in C++. The code should work in Windows and Linux. The resolution should be as precise as possible (at least millisecond accuracy). This will be used to simply track the passage of time, not to implement any kind of event-driven design. What is the best tool to accomplish this?