On Fri, 6 Jun 2003, Tim Blechmann wrote:
Try to solve the problem within pd, there are several ways, and some are even better as matrix~, because you save CPU when generators are switched off. If you do it that way, you will not only have the problem solved, but you will get the understanding of how PD works.
i understand your approach to minimize the use of externals. but i have a few general questions about how pd works:
- dsp cycles: if i have a complex calculation that requires several pd objects, will it take several dsp cycles (one for each object) or is it calculated at once. eg, if i have an abstraction that does 100 calculations (one after another) when i send a bang, would it take 100 dsp cycles?
No, message (control) objects are calculated when they get triggered (this is different from ~ objects). Normally, if you have a complicated calculation this will not cost too much CPU, because its a one time event.
These kinds of calculations get critical though, if you trigger them really frequently, use loops, etc, etc.
- how can you switch of the calculation of some generators / subpatches / patches? (i would really need this in my patches)
yes, in subpatches you can use the [switch~] object, which will turn on and off audio calculations.
- abstractions vs externals: i suppose externals would be faster (if you want you could even write your external in the assembler language of your machine), but require more ram (more code, maybe larger classes)... is this correct?
thanks a lot...
Well, the drawback of externals is that they require more time to write, are inherently inflexible, harder to port, harder to debug, maintain, read, dangerous (can crash pd) , ....
Reasons to write and use externals are:
- can't built the same functionality with abstraction
- if I built the same as an abstraction its
- too slow
- not easily possible
- I need some dynamic behaviour that is not easily possible in pd
- compatibility
- .....
Finally, I think it pays off to read through the documentation of pd and try to understand it.
Guenter
Tim mailto:TimBlechmann@gmx.net ICQ: 96771783 http://www.nyds-exp-discogs.tk -- The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!" Jack Kerouac