It sounds as if Algorithm::TokenBucket is what you want.

time() returns the number of seconds since the epoch. When your function is called check if the value from time() is greater than the previous stored value + 60 seconds. If there is no previous value 0|undef + 60 will certainly be less than time() returns.

your problem may be more with deciding which data structure you want to use to store these time stamps for each user. A global hash keyed on user name would be the simplest if a little cludgy.

Cheers,
R.

you know, that is pretty much exactly what i was thinking, and i tested a method like that locally on my pc.. *with nice results*

the only problem is with how i did it in testing, which was a continuous while loop, this increased my cpu usage from 3-5% to 60%.
but i figure this has to do with the loop right? also im on windows testing before i move to the shell. *dont wanna make the provider angry lol*

Just do the test and store the time when the user calls the function.

# code not tested
use strict;
use warnings;

my %called;
my $interval = 60;  # how long before they can call it again

sub something {
    my $user = shift; # pass the function the name of the user calling
+ it
    my $now = time;
    return if exists $called{$user} and $now < $called{$user} + $inter
+val; 
    $called{user} = $now;
    # do the costly funtion
}
[download]

Cheers,
R.

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