Run shell commands from GUI

It would be great if I could add a custom button to the GUI that would execute a specific script, for special sub-routines and shell commands.

I think I can use custom M-codes M100-199 for user-defined functions, and the action could be to run a shell script, which might work just fine. I was just wondering if there was a way to do the same type of thing with a e.g. PyVCP button.

Any thoughts?

A pyvcp button could be used to run an MDI command which could call a M command.

Chris M

It is easier with a GladeVCP button, the MDI-action buttons call a bit of G-code that is a property of the button. Optionally with hal-pin values substituted in.

Thanks Chris and Andy for your input!

Incidentally: If you want to run shell-commands directly without going through the MDI interface, you can use a normal GTK button and have the Python handler call the shell script.
Doing it this way means that it can happen at any time, whereas the MDI buttons only work when MDI mode is possible (ie, when the machine is not already running G-code).