---
name: "SDL_WaitSemaphoreTimeout"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libsdl3-doc"
version: "3.2.10+ds-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/SDL_WaitSemaphoreTimeout"
---

# SDL\_WaitSemaphoreTimeout(3)

Wait until a semaphore has a positive value and then decrements it.

## NAME

SDL\_WaitSemaphoreTimeout - Wait until a semaphore has a positive value and then decrements it.

## HEADER FILE

Defined in SDL3/SDL\_mutex.h

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include "SDL3/SDL.h"
```

**bool SDL\_WaitSemaphoreTimeout(SDL\_Semaphore \*sem, Sint32 timeoutMS);**

## DESCRIPTION

This function suspends the calling thread until either the semaphore pointed to by **sem** has a positive value or the specified time has elapsed. If the call is successful it will atomically decrement the semaphore value.

## FUNCTION PARAMETERS

- *sem*

  the semaphore to wait on.

- *timeoutMS*

  the length of the timeout, in milliseconds, or -1 to wait indefinitely.

## RETURN VALUE

Returns true if the wait succeeds or false if the wait times out.

## AVAILABILITY

This function is available since SDL 3.2.0.

## SEE ALSO

**•**(3), [**SDL\_SignalSemaphore**(3)](/SDL_SignalSemaphore/3.md), **•**(3), [**SDL\_TryWaitSemaphore**(3)](/SDL_TryWaitSemaphore/3.md), **•**(3), [**SDL\_WaitSemaphore**(3)](/SDL_WaitSemaphore/3.md)