timeoutSeconds

timeoutSeconds is a common configuration parameter used in software systems to specify the maximum duration, in seconds, that an operation is allowed to run before it times out. When the timeout elapses, the operation is canceled or aborted and an error is returned or logged. The exact behavior—whether a timeout raises an exception, returns a special status, or triggers a retry—depends on the library or framework in use.

It appears in many contexts, including HTTP clients, database drivers, and background workers. In HTTP clients, timeoutSeconds controls how long the client will wait for a server response before aborting. In databases, it limits execution time for a query or connection. In queues, it constrains how long a worker may process an item. Kubernetes readiness and liveness probes also expose a timeoutSeconds setting to define how long to wait for probe results.

Units are seconds, but some environments use millisecond timers or require unit conversions, so consult the API. Some systems treat zero or negative values as disabling the timeout; others treat them as invalid. Default values vary widely.

Best practices include choosing a timeout that balances fast failure with tolerance for transient delays, distinguishing connect, read, and total times where possible, and documenting the value. When timeouts are used, include proper error handling, retries with backoff, and observability to monitor timeout frequency and causes.

See also: timeout, latency.