What does response time measure in computing systems?

Response time in computing systems denotes the duration that elapses from the moment a user or system sends a command until the confirmation of receipt or the result is returned. This measure is crucial because it directly relates to user experience; shorter response times typically equate to better performance from a user's perspective.

In practical terms, response time includes not only the time taken by the system to process the request but also any communication delays involved, such as network latency. This makes it a comprehensive indicator of how effectively and efficiently a computing system is able to provide feedback, which is particularly important in interactive systems where user patience may be limited.

The overall processing speed of the CPU assesses the raw computational capability of the processor, while the execution time of a program focuses on how long specific code takes to execute, both of which do not fully encompass the responsiveness from the user's standpoint. The duration of a software development cycle relates to the time it takes to develop software rather than the system's performance in response to commands. Therefore, measuring response time is essential for understanding the usability and efficiency of computer systems.