How do I time IPC mechanisms like Pipes and Signal?

[chode29]

I need to time how long it takes to send a signal (and pass bytes through pipes). I have been using time() in my program. But the stamp is in seconds since epoch, and the process time (pipes and signals) takes much less than seconds to complete. I need a timing mechanism that can measure the small times. And, what number type can accomidate those small numbers (float, double, etc..)
Thank You

 

[gasingh]

try using select().
Its timeout value can be of use.