What are parameter callbacks in ROS 2 and how do they work?

What are parameter callbacks in ROS 2 and how do they work?
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In short: Learn how ROS 2 nodes can respond to parameter changes with callbacks. These tools let you modify or react to parameter updates dynamically, which is key for building flexible robot systems.

In ROS 2, nodes can register callbacks to handle changes to parameters. These callbacks allow a node to react to parameter updates in real time, which is useful for dynamic system behavior.

There are three types of parameter callbacks: pre-set, set, and post-set. Pre-set callbacks let you modify the list of parameters before they are applied, while set callbacks handle the actual update and must avoid side effects. Post-set callbacks run after the parameters have been successfully updated.

For example, if you want parameter2 to always change when parameter1 changes, you can use a pre-set callback to detect the change in parameter1 and update parameter2 accordingly. This ensures that your system remains consistent and responsive.

Based on: ROS 2 Documentation — Working with parameters - how-to · Licence: CC BY 4.0 · View source →

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