RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: code generation?

I suppose this is a little like saying you shouldn't program in Visual
Basic until you learn Assembly language. In both situations there is
definite value to be able to understand the low level code generated by
a compiler or in the case of CNC the CAM program. However there are many
good professional programmers who never look at compiler output.

On the other hand being able to hand optimize code at low levels can
sometimes be a huge advantage, especially in a commercial program. Hand
editing G-code files can also be an advantage as well, again for
optimizing codes. As an example some CAM programs will produce many
lines of code for a curved line, when in fact only a few G02 or G03
commands are all that is needed.

However, unless the code is being used in a production situation, the
end result for the average home shop user is the same.

Personally I like to know what's going on at the lower levels, so I will
often check the generated G-code files. This is especially true if
multiple copies of the same part are being produced. If the work I am
doing is straight forward then I will more than likely just write the
G-code without bothering to go through the CAD/CAM route.

What I will say is that writing your own code is very satisfying and
helps demystify the CNC process, and can at times be the quickest way to
go from blank to finished part.On the other hand there are times when
hand coding would be very tedious and prone to error, so it's much
better to let the computer do the grunt work for you.

Just my 2c.

Mark

Oh yes, I do know Assembly for a number of chipsets, but 99% of my
programing is in C/C++.