G-code interpreters in DOS?

Randy,

Good questions. Some have been previously covered. Do a search on the
list archives. I'll cover some here.

First, the primary advantage of EMC is it is an "open-source", US
govt. sponsored project. This means professional programmers are
working daily, and diligently to improve it. And that their efforts
are "supplemented" by any one else (professional or not) who wants to
help. The results of all this is available (again, to any one who
wants it) free of charge, to be used in what ever way he/she sees
fit. You can take some, all, or just bits to do what you want. It is
available in compiled version if you don't program, and source if you
do.

Second, you have "critical mass" effect. "Enough" people are working
on it/ with it to expose/correct any real weaknesses earlier than may
be found in an independant effort.

Price of admission is: Linux know-how (to be a user, or gui
developer) or knowledge of C++ programming (to dig into the source
code and hack/ modify/ improve)

Just happens there IS a dos version of EMC! It's called DeskNCrt, was
adapted by Carl Kendrat of Carken, makers of Deskam2000 and deskNC
(which is NOT EMC). Last I checked, Carl had not gotten the UI up
to "real world" needs(all commands need to be typed in!) Dan Mauch
has used DeskNCrt and called it a "diamond in the rough", a couple of
months back.

Dos IS a fine "base" for a machine controller! Limitations have been
well-discussed (fought out) on this list. You could write your
own "motion" code, and link the "Gcode interpreter" of EMC to your
low-level code. Or, you could "adapt" the EMC code to dos, as carken
has done.(please give us a usable interface,tho... :-) )

Or you could use one of the MANY dos-based CNC controls on the market.

DISADVANTAGES of EMC: If you're not a developer, you get whatever
someone else thinks you need.(also true of other purchased programs)
You may have to deal with "curious defects" if you are an "early
adopter" of the new releases. Jon E has posted that he is using an
OLD (but stable for his work) version. (again, this is true
of "purchased" programs. difference is, with EMC, you'll probably
know about the "cool stuff" you "could" be using before it is REALLY
ready for "prime time"). REAL developers DON'T release buggy code,
riiiggghhttt.. :-)

(added on proof-read) With emc you get servos OR steppers, and closed
loop steppers(if wanted). Also Hexapod capability.
One problem (for current EMC) is no support for LINEAR 4th
axis).Additional Z axis on a router, for example.

Hope this helps.

Ballendo

P.S. Once you have used "constant vector velocity" control(s), you
will find it hard to accept less, even on a sherline. They WILL work,
and CAN make fine parts, but it WILL "bug you",IMO.

Best current CVV DOS control(s) are IndexerLPT based, and CncPRO,IMO.

>What I'm wondering (and I didn't see in my trek through the archives
>the other night) is what I'd be getting with a Linux/RT/EMC setup
>over a G-code interpreter running in DOS.

>To my understanding, DOS only runs a single program at a time
>(discounting TSR's), and the running program has direct hardware
>access so that it can do things like disk access at an "appropriate"
>time.

>Is there a reason why an interpreter running in DOS (this is a
>single-purpose machine) would have any disadvantages over the EMC?
>Best regards,Randy