How can I exit a Python3 script after 5 minutes
Question: I have a script that was copying data from SD card. Due to the huge amount of
files/filesize, this might take a longer period of time than expected. I would
like to exit this script after 5 minutes. How can I do so?


Answer: It's hard to verify that this will work without any example code, but you
could try something like this, using the [signal
module](https://docs.python.org/2/library/signal.html):

At the beginning of your code, define a handler for the alarm signal.

    
    
    import signal
    
    def handler(signum, frame):
        print 'Times up! Exiting..."
        exit(0)
    

Before you start the long process, add a line like this to your code:

    
    
    #Install signal handler
    signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, handler)
    
    #Set alarm for 5 minutes
    signal.alarm(300)
    

In 5 minutes, your program will receive the alarm signal, which will call the
handler, which will exit. You can also do other things in the handler if you
want.

