Universal-G-Code-Sender

Pros of grbl

• Lightweight and efficient firmware for CNC machines
• Runs on Arduino, making it cost-effective and accessible
• Highly optimized for real-time performance

Cons of grbl

• Limited to specific hardware platforms
• Requires additional software for user interface and file management
• Less user-friendly for beginners compared to all-in-one solutions

Code Comparison

grbl (motion control):

void mc_line(float *target, plan_line_data_t *pl_data)
{
  // Calculate and execute the motion
  plan_buffer_line(target, pl_data);
  sys.step_control = STEP_CONTROL_EXECUTE_SYS_MOTION;
  st_prep_buffer();
  st_wake_up();
}

Universal G-Code Sender (sending G-code):

private void sendStringToComm(String command) throws Exception {
    if (this.isConnected()) {
        this.comm.sendStringToComm(command + "\n");
        this.comm.streamCommands();
    }
}

The code snippets highlight the different focus areas of the projects. grbl emphasizes low-level motion control, while Universal G-Code Sender focuses on high-level command sending and communication with CNC machines.

Pros of Candle

• Candle provides a more modern and intuitive user interface compared to Universal G-Code Sender.
• Candle supports a wider range of machine types, including 3D printers, CNC machines, and laser cutters.
• Candle offers advanced features like job scheduling, macros, and custom G-code commands.

Cons of Candle

• Candle may have a steeper learning curve for users who are familiar with Universal G-Code Sender.
• Candle's development is less active compared to Universal G-Code Sender, with fewer contributors and updates.
• Candle may have fewer third-party integrations and plugins compared to Universal G-Code Sender.

Code Comparison

Here's a brief comparison of the code structure between the two projects:

Universal G-Code Sender:

public class GcodeStreamSender extends SwingWorker<Void, String> {
    private final List<String> gcodeLineList;
    private final List<String> responseLineList;
    private final List<String> sentLineList;
    private final List<String> sentCommandList;
    private final List<String> sentCommandResponseList;
    private final List<String> sentCommandTimeList;
    private final List<String> sentCommandDurationList;
    private final List<String> sentCommandStatusList;
    private final List<String> sentCommandLineNumberList;
    private final List<String> sentCommandPositionList;
    // ...
}

Candle:

class GCodeSender(threading.Thread):
    def __init__(self, controller, gcode_queue, status_queue):
        super(GCodeSender, self).__init__()
        self.controller = controller
        self.gcode_queue = gcode_queue
        self.status_queue = status_queue
        self.running = True
        self.daemon = True
        self.start()

    def run(self):
        while self.running:
            try:
                gcode = self.gcode_queue.get(timeout=0.1)
                self.controller.send_gcode(gcode)
                self.status_queue.put(self.controller.get_status())
            except queue.Empty:
                pass
            # ...