what's the differences between action and services?

asked 2016-05-11 03:54:11 -0600

WuJeff
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Now,I have learnt action 's related tutorials including creation of client and server,Also learnt services including serviceClient and serviceServer,now I want to know their differences,It seems that I can implement same functions that I need with the two methods,please tell me when and where to use them?

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answered 2016-05-11 07:13:56 -0600

lfr

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The main difference is that action (using actionlib package) allows to preempt a running task contrary to service which will continue the task until the end. Action is useful when you have to observe real-time constraints.

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You can also have a feedback every times with actions as Jbot well said

lfr ( 2016-05-11 07:16:11 -0600 )edit

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answered 2016-05-11 04:13:27 -0600

Jbot

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The main difference is the possibility to have a feedback when using action. When you use service, you can only have a result at the end of the service.

For example, you make a service and an action "goToPoint" :

The service will answer you at the end if you have reached the desired point
The action will send you every X milliseconds how many meters remain to do to arrive to the desired point