HAL Memory Limitations

Hello -

I've been developing a User Interface using axis/pyvcp, and have run out of HAL memory. This has happened twice. After the first time I depopulated some of it so I could continue developing other parts of it, hoping to consolidate later, but then I hit the memory limitation again.

I've seen other comments on this same topic... Is there a version of LinuxCNC that expands this limitation? Or is there something else I could do to expand it? I'm currently using v 2.8.2.

Note: This is a commercial development project, using LinuxCNC with a custom front end (although still using parts of Axis), so I don't want to do anything that would limit marketability due to licensing considerations.

Thanks,
Tom Eagan
 

Are you using mesa cards? IF so, try turning off any unused stepgens and or encoders etc.... That should get you some more pins.

Turn of any components not needed and last resort change HAL_size in  src/hal/hal_priv.h and recompile.

sounds like a very complicated pyvcp - how many pins does it have?
My bet is you don't actually need these pins - other then with pyvcp that is not only way to control them.
Have you looked at gladevcp or qtvcp? They are more suited to building complicated screens - and only use pins when you actually need them, but you probably need to learn python programming a bit.

Yes, it is a complicated vcp, and I'm sure there are better ways... but I'm trying for a "quick" prototype, and pycvp seemed like an easier solution than gladevcp or qtvcp, and I'm trying to avoid getting too deep in learning new things. I hadn't expected a memory allocation issue, however, I did fix my original problem by downloading, changing HAL_SIZE,  and recompiling.

Thanks to all for your help.

(and to tommylight, can't hurt to apply )

...and I might offer a suggestion for the developer community, if you're monitoring this: How about adding HAL memory size as an INI setting rather than a #define in the code?