Obviously Python needs to check at least as often as the Arduino sends. You can change either of these to see what happens. The display of the incoming data is, perhaps, a little bit too basic but I have left it like that as it illustrates the interaction of the different cycles of the Arduino (sends every 3.5 secs) and Python (checks every 2 secs).

If the Python program only needed to check for incoming data when (for example) a button is pressed there would be no need for the separate Thread. The code for the separate Thread is in the file arduinoCheckForData.py. It would be a simple matter to do something else with the data - for example to save it to a database. When it finds new data it places it in a variable that is accessed by the main program and displayed at the bottom of the window. Or it can check continuously at suitable intervals.įor this demo I have chosen the latter option as it illustrates the use of a separate Thread (running in parallel with the main code) to check for new data. It can check for data after specific events (for example everytime it sends something). In the updated versions of the Arduino and Python programs attached to this Post the Arduino sends a number (roughly the number of half-seconds since RESET) to the PC every 3.5 seconds and the Python program checks for and displays any new data every 2 seconds.īroadly speaking there are two ways for the Python program to behave. I have added a zip file with the files as it won’t accept any other file type. The attachments seem to have been lost in the Upgrade on. I may produce anĮxtended version that does - now in Reply #3 To try the example you need to save the two python files into a suitable directory and run it with python arduinoGUI.py (after uploading the Arduino code, of course).īy the way this demo does not receive data from the Arduino after startup. The Python code for communicating with the Arduino is in the file arduinoComms.py and is very similar to my previous example here.

I understand it and I think it will be easily accessible to Arduino programmers.

The purpose of the Python code is simply to provide all of the parts for a simple working example as a starting point for whatever else someone may wish to do.Īpologies to anyone who is a Python expert and doesn’t like my coding style. It would be great if someone would try it on Windows or on a Mac. When the program starts it allows you to select the serial port for the Arduino. The buttons allow you to switch on or off a couple of LEDs and the slider allows you to move a servo. I do realize that this is more of a Python tutorial than an Arduino tutorial. With the zeal of the newly converted I thought that others might be interested in the attached simple Python GUI program for controlling an Arduino. I have seen a few questions recently where Forum members were enquiring about controlling an Arduino with a PC GUI program.

Python gui for windows and mac