What is the most efficient, "cheap" and accurate way to measure time in Java in resolution of microseconds?

Question

I'm using ASM java byte code instrumentation and my goal is to measure the time in each access to a variable.

** measure time and log **

** variable access **

I'm looking for a resolution of microseconds. It should be accurate and therefore "cheap" enough (meaning that I don't want a function or a library that will take 10 ms to get the time).

I've tried System.NanoTime() (too much, and costly) and Calendar (too loose), but I'm looking for a better alternative.

Answer 1

System.nanotime() is a native method call, if that is too costly for you , then you probably wont be able to find something suitable to your needs in java.

I dont think System.nanotime() will ever take 10ms (unless you specifically do something just to slow it down) to execute ever as well.

And finally, I am not sure if micro seconds will be precise enough for property access times, nanoseconds may be more useful.