set_time_limit

Limits the maximum execution time

&reftitle.description; `bool` `set_time_limit` `int` `seconds`

Set the number of seconds a script is allowed to run. If this is reached, the script returns a fatal error. The default limit is 30 seconds or, if it exists, the `max_execution_time` value defined in the &php.ini;.

When called, `set_time_limit` restarts the timeout counter from zero. In other words, if the timeout is the default 30 seconds, and 25 seconds into script execution a call such as `set_time_limit(20)` is made, the script will run for a total of 45 seconds before timing out.

&reftitle.parameters;

`seconds`

- The maximum execution time, in seconds. If set to zero, no time limit is imposed.

&reftitle.returnvalues;

Returns &true; on success, or &false; on failure.

&reftitle.notes;

The `set_time_limit` function and the configuration directive max_execution_time only affect the execution time of the script itself. Any time spent on activity that happens outside the execution of the script such as system calls using `system`, stream operations, database queries, etc. is not included when determining the maximum time that the script has been running. This is not true on Windows where the measured time is real.

&reftitle.seealso;

- max_execution_time
- max_input_time