Pass a string to a class

Python Help
1

Hello,

I have an existing class from a sample python file which came with my led-matrix.
This is the code:

class RunText(SampleBase):
    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
        super(RunText, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
        self.parser.add_argument("-t", "--text", help="The text to scroll on the RGB LED panel", default="Hello world!")

    def run(self):
        offscreen_canvas = self.matrix.CreateFrameCanvas()
        font = graphics.Font()
        font.LoadFont("../../../fonts/7x13.bdf")
        textColor = graphics.Color(255, 255, 0)
        pos = offscreen_canvas.width
        my_text = self.args.text

        while True:
            offscreen_canvas.Clear()
            len = graphics.DrawText(offscreen_canvas, font, pos, 10, textColor, my_text)
            pos -= 1
            if (pos + len < 0):
                pos = offscreen_canvas.width

            time.sleep(0.05)
            offscreen_canvas = self.matrix.SwapOnVSync(offscreen_canvas)


# Main function
if __name__ == "__main__":
    run_text = RunText()
    if (not run_text.process()):
        run_text.print_help()

I created a separate Python file which makes a custom text for me.
This text changes every minute, so the led screen has to show every minute a different text.
How can I get my variable as the default text in RunText() class?
I understand it is a coding problem and I have not enough knowledge, but I hope to learn if I know how to search for the solution.

I hope somebody is able to bring me on the right path.

Thank you.

2

Hello,

welcome to the forum.

From the run method script, it appears that this is where the string is determined. Specifically:

my_text = self.args.text

You will have to modify the run method as shown here by adding a parameter to the method definition and modifying the my_text variable assignment:

    def run(self, my_string):  # add parameter to method definition
        offscreen_canvas = self.matrix.CreateFrameCanvas()
        font = graphics.Font()
        font.LoadFont("../../../fonts/7x13.bdf")
        textColor = graphics.Color(255, 255, 0)
        pos = offscreen_canvas.width
        my_text = my_string  # overriding the original asignment value
       .
       .
       .  # did not include the rest of the method script for brevity

Then, in your script, you can call the run method every minute with the my_string variable as the string argument:

run_text.run(my_string)  # call the method with your argument

Note that here, the variable my_string represents your string being passed in from the file that you created per this:

Give it a try and see if that works.

3

Thank you Paul,

I will give it a try tomorrow as I have to start working now.
I come back to you with the result.

Yvonne

4

Dear Paul,

Thank you so much for your help.
I succeeded to create the text on my led-matrix.
For the moment very simple, but I’m sure I can finish the program by now.

I’m very grateful for your help.

Kind regards,
Yvonne