Feature request, local compiler

[XYartlab]

Recently, I have been trying different functions for the RP2040 control board, and every time it requires me to modify a lot of code. It is distributed in several places and often misses or writes incorrectly. Fluidnc and Klipper are very convenient in this regard. Is it possible to create a local program, select different MCUs, set the corresponding functions for different IOs, and then generate a file (json/yaml/cfg/txt) to modify and replace the existing source code by reading this file.

[XYartlab]

Many people who are not familiar with grblhal need to spend a lot of time looking up information and modifying the source code to complete the compilation. If there is such a function, it can save a lot of time for both developers and ordinary users

[terjeio]

and every time it requires me to modify a lot of code.

Then you are likely doing something wrong? Which code do you have to modify?

Fluidnc and Klipper are very convenient in this regard.

Well, nothing stops you from using FluidNC or Klipper. FYI I am not going to change the architecture of grblHAL any time soon, and if you really want to you can fork grblHAL and change it to your liking.

Many people who are not familiar with grblhal need to spend a lot of time looking up information and modifying the source code to complete the compilation. If there is such a function, it can save a lot of time for both developers and ordinary users

I assume most users just use the Web Builder to create the firmware they want. No need to mess with setting up a toolchain, edit the two main configuration files and compile.

Better documentation for those who want to create a custom version is needed, but I do not earn enough from grblHAL to hire staff to do it for me. It would be nice if the community could help...

[XYartlab]

This function does not require any modification to the source code of grblhal. What I mean is to use a local program to read the configuration （yaml/json/cfg/ini/txt） file and modify the source code. Compared with the web compiler, it just has a higher degree of customization. I'm not familiar enough with all the drivers and all the functions, so it's also very difficult for me to complete such work.

[XYartlab]

It is also a good choice to have a web compiler that is fully customizable and has complete documentation.

[terjeio]

FYI the Web Builder does not change any source code at all, for most drivers it builds a PlatformIO .ini file - for the RP2040 a CMakeLists.txt. What these are used for, among other stuff, is to add the needed #defines via -D arguments to the compiler.
One possibility is to add an empty board map and add the neccessary -D arguments to define the pin mappings and expand the Web Builder or create documentation so that the end user can create their own map on the fly...

But - since grblHAL supports many different processors and processor variants this is a massive job that I simply do not have the capacity to complete. E.g. for the STM32F4xx driver there are many variants with pin counts up to 144 or more - and to make it more complicated the variants often assign different alternative functions to the pins.

If you compare this to the ESP32 that only have a handful of pins of which nearly all can be assigned to the available functions you might start to understand that letting most users create their own map for grblHAL will be a recipe for disaster unless an app is made for pin mapping that will limit and validate their choices. Such an app will have to take into account both the raw processor capabilities and also honour the limits imposed by the current driver capabilities and teh controller board itself. Are you willing to make one?

[XYartlab]

You can consider building a website like smoothieware, with complete documentation, and crowdfunding to develop new features.