ros python creating strange side effects

asked 2017-03-21 13:17:42 -0500

Ubuntu 16.04
ROS Kinetic

I have been working on a program in python. Created my package just like I always do. This time I thought I would give dynamic reconfigure a try. I did the tutorial and ran the code. I wind up with my mouse turning into a cross, the libraries I import become files in the directory I launched from and the path name in my bash prompt changes. Has anyone ever seen this before?

I can't get a screenshot of what happens to the pointer as it is not saved in screenshots.

image description

answered 2017-03-21 13:23:43 -0500

NEngelhard
3519 ●24 ●58 ●89

updated 2017-03-21 13:30:22 -0500

Could you post the top part of the script you ran? I bet you forgot to add a #! /usr/bin/python or similar to the top of your file.

If you have an executable file asd.py like

import numpy
a = 1
...

and do an './asd.py', Ubuntu will assume a bash-script (as there is no shebang) Now the first command is 'import' which can be used to make partial screenshots: import (bash). This is also the reason why your mouse pointer changes. (just type 'import asd.png' and mark a region) This also explains the new files (it's just the images (most probably postscript files)).