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How would I start a node if a parameter equalled a given value? I'm thinking something like this pseudo code:
<launch>
if my_param == true: // PSEUDO CODE - How to properly implement this logic?
<node name="my_node" pkg="my_package" type="my_node" output="screen"/>
</launch>
Also, how would I do this using rosrun from the command line?
I solved my problem using a bash script to keep checking until my_param changes to true to rosrun and kill the node when needed. This is as follows:
#!/bin/bash
rosparam set my_param false
while :
do
node_name="/my_node"
node_search=$(rosnode list | grep $node_name)
if [ $(rosparam get my_param) == false ]
then
if [ "$node_search" == $node_name ]
then
rosnode kill $node_name
fi
else
if ! [ "$node_search" == $node_name ]
then
rosrun my_package my_node
fi
fi
done
Hi, I think the easiest way is by defining an arg. Something like:
<arg name="var"/>
and then grouping the nodes to start if the argument of var is true. Your launch file should look like:
<launch>
<arg name="var"/>
<group if="$(arg var)">
...nodes to start...
</group>
</launch>
You can then start the nodes from the terminal with:
roslaunch you_package launch_file var:=true
Let me know if that helps
Note that any tag can use the if attribute. For example, if you only have one node to launch, you can just put it in the <node> tag rather than using a group. Here's the roslaunch XML wiki for further info.
That is very helpful. Two questions... How would I set var to a parameter from the parameter server in the launch file or command line? Also, if var is false, I'd like to keep checking until the parameter that defines it changes to true and then start the node. I guess this would be like while false do nothing. Is this possible?
I'm wondering if a bash script is needed to achieve what I want. Maybe it would look similar to the following, although I'm unsure of exact syntax.
#!/bin/bash
while [$(rosparam get my_param) == ‘false’ or ‘’]; do
if [my_node is running]
then
rosnode kill my_node
fi
done
while [$(rosparam get my_param) == ‘true’]; do
if [my_node is not running]
rosrun my_package my_node // in background so can keep listening for change in my_param value
fi
done
What do you think?
To answer your previous questions:
How would I set var to a parameter from the parameter server in the launch file or command line?
You can't use a parameter as a variable (AFAIK; there was some discussion, but IDK if it's implemented), but you could set the parameter from the same argument:
...
<arg name="my_arg" default="true" />
<param name="my_param" value="$(arg my_arg)" />
<group if="$(arg my_arg)">
...
</group>
I'd like to keep checking until the parameter that defines it changes ... Is this possible?
Launch files aren't meant for ongoing behavior, like loops--more just startup. To keep checking, you'd have to use an external script (as you have), or build the functionality into the node, e.g., using dynamic_reconfigure. You might also consider using something other than a parameter, like a topic or service depending on your use case. There are pros ...
Asked: 2021-04-13 09:56:36 -0500
Seen: 748 times
Last updated: May 07 '21
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