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What does rclcpp::spin actually do ? What is "spin node" mean?

asked 2021-10-13 08:03:10 -0500

Hieu Joestar gravatar image

Hello guys, i got a trouble of rclcpp::spin. The rclcpp Namespace Reference tell that spin() will spin the node. But with the code in create a publisher in link. Does the spin loop for all the scope of the constructor body, which means the publisher_ and timer_ variable will be assigned so much time? Or it just spin(loop) the call back function in timer_? or what is it actually happen. I want to know the explain of mechanism of this code. Thank you.


Sorry for my english skill.

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answered 2021-10-13 12:17:00 -0500

swilcock0 gravatar image

Essentially rclcpp::spin() is allowing the ros node to keep running and check for events on subscribed topics and service calls, and direct the callbacks. It doesn't loop through the constructor, it's a blocking operation in your code; rather it binds these topic/service/action events to the callbacks you define as publisher_ or timer_ through rclcpp executors. The executors are designed to queue callbacks and make sure nothing blocks other activities.

From the definition in that link above:

Coordinate the order and timing of available communication tasks. [...] It coordinates the nodes and callback groups by looking for available work and completing it, based on the threading or concurrency scheme provided by the subclass implementation.

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Thank sir, but "The executors are designed to queue callbacks and make sure nothing blocks other activities." DId you mean all callbacks run parallel ? That 's so weird if it's parallel in a singlethread model.

Hieu Joestar gravatar image Hieu Joestar  ( 2021-10-13 21:35:53 -0500 )edit

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Asked: 2021-10-13 08:03:10 -0500

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Last updated: Oct 13 '21