$TIME function
The $TIME alpha function is used to return the current time in terms of the number of seconds since 0000 GMT on 1 January 1970. This is in the form of a 4 byte unsigned binary string. This function is mainly used as a timestamp for timing events. Event duration can be computed by subtraction using SUBC.
Syntax example:
DIM oldtime$4, ElapsedSeconds$4
oldtime$ = $TIME
...
ElapsedSeconds$ = $TIME SUBC oldtime$
This time stamp will be with respect to GMT and not local time on systems that understand timezones.
A more finegrained timestamp measured in milliseconds can be obtained by using the analogous $TIMESTAMP function.
See also: