ROS stands for Robotic Operating System. It is a framework of different tools such as an abstraction layer, libraries, and a package manager that makes it easier to program/interface with different robotic systems/components. It basically simplifies a lot of work that you would be doing on your own. While it is extremely useful, it also has some flaws. For example, it is bloated, can be tricky to configure, and can be sometimes difficult in making it do what you want it to.
It's an absolute mess of a software, to get running and if you're not paying attention you'll install 15+GB of packages you won't need.
I've helped some friends with c++ assignments during college and with ROS they had to have dozens of terminal windows open running some command just to get things working.
It's a shame that ROS is getting this sort of reputation. It has it's merits, and is used by most robotics applications I have seen.
It is akin to the python ecosystem, where there is A LOT of good software and packages out there, but there is also A LOT of garbage out there.
The community is nice and supportive, and the framework has really matured recently, with ROS1 being "complete" and ROS2 getting off the ground with a lot of mature features like DDS
nexthash|5 years ago
the_spacebyte|5 years ago
I've helped some friends with c++ assignments during college and with ROS they had to have dozens of terminal windows open running some command just to get things working.
vinnyr|5 years ago
It is akin to the python ecosystem, where there is A LOT of good software and packages out there, but there is also A LOT of garbage out there.
The community is nice and supportive, and the framework has really matured recently, with ROS1 being "complete" and ROS2 getting off the ground with a lot of mature features like DDS