What are the advantages and disadvantages of Busy-waiting and timer interrupts in programming? [closed]

Question

A feasible way to achieve a suitable time delay is to use busy-waiting, however what are the advantages and disadvantages of using a busy-waiting or timer interrupts approach programming?

Answer 1

There are probably many, I will try to address what seems most important to me.

Advantages of busy-waiting:

• The execution flow is usually easier to comprehend and thus less error prone.
• Timing can be determined more accurately in some cases

Disadvantages:

• No other code (except perhaps other interrupt routines) can be executed.
• CPU-time is wasted: If no other work must be processed it is still more efficient to set some powersaving-state and let a timer interrupt wake it up in time.

Answer 2

A disadvantage of busy-waiting in embedded devices is the increased power consumption. In a busy wait, the processor is running full-blast, consuming power with no result. Most low power processors have the ability to put the processor to sleep while waiting for a timer interrupt, reducing power consumption dramatically. Lower power consumption = longer battery life.