[Idea] Re-write QDriverStation and LibDS with Python

[Alex Spataru]

Well, while C++ has worked pretty well for me and my team (and this project), most FRC programmers are familiar with Java and Python. If this project were to be maintained by the community, the most logical decision would be to adapt it to most FRC developers.

However, Java is still relatively complicated and could present some issues regarding the UI (Qt is a very good toolkit IMO). A possible solution to this could be to use Python with PyQt, which provides Python bindings to the Qt framework (which would make the whole porting process a lot simpler).

Benefits of using Python

• Code would be simpler to read, modify and maintain
• There are Qt and SDL bindings available for Python
• PyQt comes with a "deploy" feature for its applications, this would provide an *.exe (for Windows) and an application bundle for OS X.
• The porting process would not be very difficult, several inconsistencies in the LibDS could be fixed by doing this.
• More potential contributors
• Better integration with GNU/Linux distros

Cons of using Python

• Slower start-up times and application performance, however, I want to believe that the Python byte-code compiler would take care of making the application fast enough for it to be able to communicate effectively with the robot without "losing" packets.
• Windows users may need to install Python. It is possible that the deployment process of PyQt bundles Python with the application, so this should not be a worry.

Please share your ideas and/or suggestions!

[Dakota James Owen of the family Keeler]

This is just my opinion. I would leave LIBDS in c++. While the driver station I see no problems in bringing up to Qtpy, python or whatever.

[riftware]

I agree. If you aren't willing to do java please stay in c++ I think
a big part of the issue is that not many people know your project exists
yet.
On Mar 16, 2016 5:56 AM, "BearzRobotics" [e-mail] wrote:

This is just my opinion. I would leave LIBDS in c++. While the driver
station I see no problems in bringing up to Qtpy, python or whatever.

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[riftware]

I just checked, there is at least one java qt bindings project.
http://qtjambi.org/
On Mar 16, 2016 12:25 AM, "Alex Spataru" [e-mail] wrote:

Well, while C++ has worked pretty well for me and my team (and this
project), most FRC programmers are familiar with Java and Python. If this
project were to be maintained by the community, the most logical decision
would be to adapt it to most FRC developers.

However, Java is still relatively complicated and could present some
issues regarding the UI (Qt is a very good toolkit IMO). A possible
solution to this could be to use Python with PyQt, which provides Python
bindings to the Qt framework (which would make the whole porting process a
lot simpler).

Benefits of using Python

• Code would be simpler to read, modify and maintain
• There are Qt and SDL bindings available for Python
• PyQt comes with a "deploy" feature for its applications, this would
  provide an *.exe (for Windows) and an application bundle for OS X.
• The porting process would not be very difficult, several
  inconsistencies in the LibDS could be fixed by doing this.
• More potential contributors
• Better integration with GNU/Linux distros

Cons of using Python

• Slower start-up times and application performance, however, I want
  to believe that the Python byte-code compiler would take care of making the
  application fast enough for it to be able to communicate effectively with
  the robot without "losing" packets.
• Windows users may need to install Python. It is possible that the
  deployment process of PyQt bundles Python with the application, so this
  should not be a worry.

Please share your ideas and/or suggestions!

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Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub
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[Alex Spataru]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think that the QDriverStation and LibDS will continue using Qt/C++ for the moment, since I am not very familiar with Java.

@riftware Thanks for the information about QtJambi, however, QtJambi does not support Qt5 (AFAIK).