FUNCTION::START\_STOP(3stap) Timestamp Functions FUNCTION::START\_STOP(3stap)

# [NAME](#NAME)

function::start\_stopwatch - Start a stopwatch

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

```


    start_stopwatch(name:string)
```

# [ARGUMENTS](#ARGUMENTS)

*name*

the stopwatch name

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

Start stopwatch *name*. Creates stopwatch *name* if it does not currently exist.

# [SEE ALSO0](#SEE_ALSO0)

[*tapset::stopwatch*(3stap)](/man/enterprise-packages/systemtap/tapset::stopwatch.3stap)

September 2026 SystemTap Tapset Reference Ver

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Document: function::start_stopwatch(3stap) from systemtap 5.6-r0 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://sourceware.org/git/systemtap.git