Simple way to measure cell execution time in IPython notebook

Gotchas and Closer Look

Magic commands and extensions offer extensive utility for time tracking in IPython notebooks. For instance, the Execute Time Nbextension provides built-in timestamps, which come in handy for long-running cells.

To get a clearer view, print statements may assist:

%%time
print("Starting my secret mission.")
# your code carrying the secret mission
print("Mission accomplished!")
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Remember, when it comes to %%timeit, define variables outside the cell to evade scope-related nightmares. Keep the official IPython magic function documentation bookmarked for quick reference.

Achieving automatic timing is a walk in the park with the ipython-autotime project. Just load it into your configs:

%load_ext autotime
# And you thought wizardry school was fake...
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Checking out recent and top-rated comments under related Stackoverflow answers gives you access to community-approved knowledge nuggets and updates.

Considering other options like jupyter_contrib_nbextensions? Make sure to install and activate them via pip to capitalize on their features.

Guided Tour: Enhancements, Precautions, and Latest Tactics

Side Effects: Beware of the Ripple

Code cells are not isolated islands. Changes in one affect those that follow. Hence, exercise caution with state-altering code when measuring time—don't unleash a butterfly effect!

Nbextensions: Your Trusty Data Stopwatch

For constant monitoring, the ExecuteTime plugin is a game-changer. It blends into Jupyter seamlessly—giving you the ease of both timing and output capture.

Autotime: The 'Always-On' Stopwatch

Ever dreamt of a stopwatch that's always ticking for you? Customize your ipython_config.py to load extensions like autotime by default—it's like installing a robo-referee in your race track!

Staying Ahead: Know the Game

Ensure your tactics are up-to-date. IPython and Jupyter are witnessing active development, so be on the lookout for latest enhancements. Check for updates on "timeit" accuracy improvements and plugin capabilities, even peak into the GitHub repository for ipython-autotime.