[Tutorial] Get text output from bash files into your python script!

caver01

@cyperghost Ok, but that PR you linked to is an attempt to merge code into the Retroflag Master, which is the official RetroFlag repo linked on their website. If accepted, everyone will benefit from your technique!

cyperghost

@caver01 Well yes... but from the companies view - I won't trust a script that is not written by myself. It needs to be maintained and so you (as company) may run into a way of relation. So keep it simple and other users may read the PR and modify the scipts ;) That's the best way and keeps away from trouble

fastpop72

@cyperghost said in [Tutorial] Get text output from bash files into your python script!:

In the case of the NESPi+ and the orignial script you can use this method, too

Get the script from here - GITHUB

To install take following steps:
0. Install original script from retroflag wget -O - "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RetroFlag/retroflag-picase/master/install.sh" | sudo bash

Login with SSH

Got to installed directory with cd /opt/RetroFlag

download the multi_switch script with sudo wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/crcerror/ES-generic-shutdown/master/multi_switch.sh

Make script executable sudo chmod +x multi_switch.sh

Remove old script with sudo rm SafeShutdown.py

Get new script with sudo wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/crcerror/retroflag-picase/master/SafeShutdown.py

Python code: SafeShutdown.py
#!/usr/bin/env python3
from gpiozero import Button, LED
import os 
from signal import pause
import subprocess

powerPin = 3 
resetPin = 2 
ledPin = 14 
powerenPin = 4 
hold = 1
led = LED(ledPin)
led.on()
power = LED(powerenPin)
power.on()

#functions that handle button events
def when_pressed():
 led.blink(.2,.2)
 output = int(subprocess.check_output(['./multi_switch.sh', '--es-pid']))
 if output:
     os.system("./multi_switch.sh --es-poweroff")
 else:
     os.system("sudo shutdown -h now")
    
def when_released():
 led.on()

def reboot():
 output = int(subprocess.check_output(['./multi_switch.sh', '--es-pid']))
 if output:
     os.system("./multi_switch.sh --es-restart")
 else:
     os.system("sudo reboot")
 
btn = Button(powerPin, hold_time=hold)
rebootBtn = Button(resetPin)
rebootBtn.when_pressed = reboot 
btn.when_pressed = when_pressed
btn.when_released = when_released
pause()
Python and the GPIOZERO libary seems to be overloaded. As I did not create this script.
But it demonstrates how bash files output can be used to do actions ;)---

Just tried this procedure with my new Nespi Case+, then rebooted. Unfortunately now when i turn off the switch it blinks the red led of the case and does nothing. If i press the reset button does nothing. I had to revert to original Nespi script.

cyperghost

@fastpop72 Is the multi_switch.sh script located into same folder as the python script? Is it made executable? It works for me but I don't give support for that.

fastpop72

@cyperghost said in [Tutorial] Get text output from bash files into your python script!:

@fastpop72 Is the multi_switch.sh script located into same folder as the python script? Is it made executable? It works for me but I don't give support for that.

Sure it was in the same folder "/opt/RetroFlag", i deleted the original SafeShutdown python script, installed yours, changed exec permission with chmod, but when i press the switch to turn off the led start blinking but does nothing. Reset neither.
I noticed this discussion started 2 months ago... maybe the original nespi python script has changed since and your mod doesn't work anymore... no problem, i reverted to original nespy script.

cyperghost

@fastpop72 I changed internal pathes from ./multi_switch.sh, to /opt/RetroFlag/multi_switch.sh that should work now ;)

fastpop72

@cyperghost said in [Tutorial] Get text output from bash files into your python script!:

@fastpop72 I changed internal pathes from ./multi_switch.sh, to /opt/RetroFlag/multi_switch.sh

Wow... maybe your modified SafeShutdown script doesn't recall correctly the other multiswitch file if the path is not complete? I will give it a try and let you know.

cyperghost

@fastpop72 I've improved the script a bit for more natural behaviour

1. If you press restart if emulator is currently running, then you will be kicked back to ES main menu
2. If you press restart in ES main screen, ES will be restartet (no reboot!), good for quick saving metadata or internal saves.
3. If you press power-off then Raspberry will shutdown

All metadata is always saved
Best -> cyperghost

fastpop72

@cyperghost said in [Tutorial] Get text output from bash files into your python script!:

@fastpop72 I've improved the script a bit for more natural behaviour

1. If you press restart if emulator is currently running, then you will be kicked back to ES main menu
2. If you press restart in ES main screen, ES will be restartet (no reboot!), good for quick saving metadata or internal saves.
3. If you press power-off then Raspberry will shutdown

All metadata is always saved
Best -> cyperghost

Your new modified script WORKS LIKE A CHARM NOW!!! It's exactly what i'm looking for... Now i can press my Nespi+ reset button to exit any game and return to ES! And the Power/shutdown button turn off the whole system VERY QUICKLY!! Few seconds and the Nespi+ is completely off! THANKS THANKS THANKS!

paul4tune

I have tried the manual install, as well as your auto install, I for the life of me cant get it to work and i don't know why.
I am new to the retropie world, i have a nespi plus, pi3b+, 128gig card running a retro gaming image.
I'm running PuTTY for the SSH connection

paul4tune

@paul4tune my fault I completely forgot to switch the safe switch to on inside the nespi all working

Serj Targarien

@cyperghost , maybe I'm missing something really simple here, but I'm a bit confused.

I'm going to receive my NesPi+ Case, probably today, and I'm looking for the most efficient shut down script to shut the system down. I would like to shut it down completely, including the fan, while saving ES settings and metadata, and if possible saved games even if the system is shut down while using retroarch (it doesn't if you don't exit it properly, even if you saved in game) and preventing SD card corruption. As a bonus I would like to show a splash screen while shutting down, just for the looks, but that's not mandatory.

Would this script be better for that or the Multi Switch Shutdown Script as explained here? https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/17415/multi-switch-shutdown-script What are the fundamental differences between the two of them? Sorry if I've missed some simple post explaining just that, real life has had me busy lately and I haven't been able to find lots of time for the forums.

Thanks in advance for the answers.

cyperghost

@serj-targarien

I would like to shut it down completely, including the fan, while saving ES settings and metadata, and if possible saved games even if the system is shut down while using retroarch (it doesn't if you don't exit it properly, even if you saved in game) and preventing SD card corruption.

That's all the script is doing for you.

Would this script be better for that or the Multi Switch Shutdown Script as explained here?

The "Multi Switch Shutdown Script" (MS3) fullfills two purposes. It can act as real shutdown script then you need to call it via autostart and set parameters to it. Or it can be used as command line tool to get info about status of emulators and EmulationStation. Annother shutdown script (like the modified NESPi+ python script) can read that status and set different actions.

What are the fundamental differences between the two of them?

See I wrote that script to make setup of some power devices as easy as possible. But someone wants a LED to lid, annother wants to play a song during shutdown and you want to display a picture. So it's easier to write your own scripts and invoke MS3 to do the prober shutdown action.

The big difference between the MS3-bash script and this python is the routine how the trigger status is asked. The bash script uses the classic polling (one request in every 1 second) the python script are using interrupts which are better for mashine handling. The python script is a bit more relieable.... That's all.

Serj Targarien

@cyperghost thanks for the extensive answer. Really appreciated.

Sithel

@cyperghost
I had to register just to say thank you! Your scripts are on point. The way the reset button and power button works now is perfect and RetroFlag should have done it this way in the first place. I use your rom manager script to and awesome work! Thanks again :)

cyperghost

@sithel I really appreciate your comment. But take your time to stay here there are much more things to discover. Currently a new port of openbor is made, lots of nice themes are available and did you ever heard about retroachievements?

CapNinja

Sorry if this is too obvious, but can I install this using a snespi+ instead?

cyperghost

@CapNinja yes. Retroflag did not change any line of code since the NESPi so this is working with SuperPi and the new MegaPi case, too.
I have a US version of their SuperPi-case and the code is working best.

CapNinja

@cyperghost
Thanks

benjaminjay

I have a 3B+ in the Nespi case and followed the "automatic install" instructions but the power and reset buttons don't work. Do I need to install the script from RetroFlag first?

[Tutorial] Get text output from bash files into your python script!

In the case of the NESPi+ and the orignial script you can use this method, too

Python code: SafeShutdown.py