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python-gpiozero/docs/source_values.rst

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=============
Source/Values
=============
.. currentmodule:: gpiozero
GPIO Zero provides a method of using the declarative programming paradigm to
connect devices together: feeding the values of one device into another, for
example the values of a button into an LED:
.. literalinclude:: examples/led_button.py
which is equivalent to:
.. literalinclude:: examples/led_button_loop.py
Every device has a ``.value`` property (the device's current value). Input
devices can only have their values read, but output devices can also have their
value set to alter the state of the device::
>>> led = PWMLED(17)
>>> led.value # LED is initially off
0.0
>>> led.on() # LED is now on
>>> led.value
1.0
>>> led.value = 0 # LED is now off
Every device also has a ``.values`` property (a generator continuously yielding
the device's current value). All output devices have a ``.source`` property
which can be set to any iterator. The device will iterate over the values
provided, setting the device's value to each element at a rate specified in the
``source_delay`` property.
.. image:: images/source_values.*
The most common use case for this is to set the source of an output device to
the values of an input device, like the example above. A more interesting
example would be a potentiometer controlling the brightness of an LED:
.. literalinclude:: examples/pwmled_pot.py
It is also possible to set an output device's ``source`` to the ``values`` of
another output device, to keep them matching:
.. literalinclude:: examples/matching_leds.py
The device's values can also be processed before they are passed to the
``source``:
.. image:: images/source_value_processing.*
For example:
.. literalinclude:: examples/source_value_processing.py
Alternatively, a custom generator can be used to provide values from an
artificial source:
.. image:: images/custom_generator.*
For example:
.. literalinclude:: examples/custom_generator.py
If the iterator is infinite (i.e. an infinite generator), the elements will be
processed until the ``source`` is changed or set to ``None``.
If the iterator is finite (e.g. a list), this will terminate once all elements
are processed (leaving the device's value at the final element):
.. literalinclude:: examples/custom_generator_finite.py
Composite devices
-----------------
Most devices have a ``value`` range between 0 and 1. Some have a range between
-1 and 1 (e.g. ``Motor``). The ``value`` of a composite device is a namedtuple
of such values. For example, the ``Robot`` class::
>>> from gpiozero import Robot
>>> robot = Robot(left=(14, 15), right=(17, 18))
>>> robot.value
RobotValue(left_motor=0.0, right_motor=0.0)
>>> tuple(robot.value)
(0.0, 0.0)
>>> robot.forward()
>>> tuple(robot.value)
(1.0, 1.0)
>>> robot.backward()
>>> tuple(robot.value)
(-1.0, -1.0)
>>> robot.value = (1, 1) # robot is now driven forwards
Source Tools
------------
GPIO Zero provides a set of ready-made functions for dealing with source/values,
called source tools. These are available by importing from ``gpiozero.tools``.
Some of these source tools are artificial sources which require no input:
.. image:: images/source_tool.*
In this example, random values between 0 and 1 are passed to the LED, giving it
a flickering candle effect:
.. literalinclude:: examples/random_values.py
Some tools take a single source and process its values:
.. image:: images/source_tool_value_processor.*
In this example, the LED is lit only when the button is not pressed:
.. literalinclude:: examples/negated.py
Some tools combine the values of multiple sources:
.. image:: images/combining_sources.*
In this example, the LED is lit only if both buttons are pressed (like an `AND`_
gate):
.. _AND: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AND_gate
.. literalinclude:: examples/combining_sources.py