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# CREATE METRONOME Statement

## Syntax

    CREATE METRONOME metronome_identifier (
      field_identifier, interval
    );

### Substitutable Fields

`metronome_identifier`

  A unique identifier (name) for the METRONOME.

`field_identifier`

  The unique identifier (name) for tuple field that will contain the timestamp value.

`interval`

  An integer value for the interval (in seconds) at which the metronome will emit tuples.

## Discussion

The METRONOME delivers output tuples periodically based on the system clock. In the same way that a musician's metronome can be used to indicate the exact tempo of a piece of music, you can use a METRONOME to control the timing of downstream operations.

At fixed intervals, a METRONOME will produce a tuple with a single timestamp field named `field_identifier` that will contain the current time value from the system clock on the computer hosting the StreamBase application.

A METRONOME begins producing tuples as soon as the application starts.

## Related Topics

- HEARTBEAT Statement

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