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ROS on Different OS's
ROS can be run in one of these ways:
- Installed and run directly, if the OS supports it. This can be done with dual-booting
- Run in Docker
- Run in a VM
- Run on a web app
Dual-booting is the process of installing 2 different operating systems on your computer, and being able to boot into either. This can be a useful experience. It does have the downside of needing to spearate out a good portion of your harddrive space, and can lead to issues booting at all if done incorrectly.
Docker is a tool similar to a virtual machine, but with less overhead. It is run from the commandline, and creates a virtual computer that you perform actions in. This virtual computer can have ROS installed. We keep a docker directory in the main repo which should be up to date to use.
Programs like Virtual Box can simulate running computers with different operating systems, although this will be slower and more clunky than running them directly. We have some pre-made VirtualBox files with Ubuntu and ROS installed and ready to run on them. The smallest is about 12 Gb.
Currently theconstructsim/ROS Development Studio looks like a promising option. It can be used online, offers simulation, and the free plan comes with 30 hrs/month. It doesn't look too powerful computation-wise, so if we add vision to the sub, it may not be able to perform well.
Linux/Ubuntu has direct support to run ROS. You can install and run it directly on your computer. You can also install a VM, or run it using Docker.
Mac's are not able to run ROS directly. We have had some success running Docker on them, but have not gotten graphics working this way. You can use Docker for command-line based work. You can also use a VM.
Windows has no direct support for ROS or Docker. There appears to be some docker-for-windows program available, but we have not had success running it.