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Help multitasking in code
#1
Hello,

I'm trying to get my Main function of my code to run in parallel with a Reminders scheduler I have. I tried threading but it makes my Main code run slow.
I tried putting the Reminders Scheduler in a different script and having my main script run it from the cmd prompt like so: os.system("start /wait cmd /c Reminders.py") in hopes that they would both run at the same time, but I didn't really work.

I have the Main program wait for user input (from BX_External_Functions):
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                User Input Function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#Uses Prompt.ask from the Rich Library: https://rich.readthedocs.io/en/stable/prompt.html
def UserInput():
    command = str(Prompt.ask("[yellow]"+Commander+"[/yellow]"))
    return command 
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
which makes it blocking and I tried making it non-blocking referencing this link but I didn't have much luck; the Reminders scheduler still wouldn't run.

All I'm looking for is a way to have the Reminders scheduler run in the background/at the same time as the Main() and not interrupt the Main().
[At this point I don't even care if it's running in a completely separate window as a separate entity. I just need them to work at the same time].

Is this possible?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Snippet:
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                   Run The Program
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
def Main():
    StartupText()
    wishMe()
    speak("How may I be of service?")
    while True:
        BAXTER()

def Reminders():
    scheduler = sched.scheduler(time.time, time.sleep) #Create Schedule
    schedule_reminder(scheduler) #Run Reminders
    while True:
        scheduler.run(False)
        while not scheduler.empty():
            scheduler.run(False)

# #Works but Slow. Especially on Startup.
# threading.Thread(target=Main).start()
# threading.Thread(target=Reminders).start()

# threading.Thread(target=Test).start()
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Main Code:
#!/usr/bin/env python3

#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                   B.A.X.T.E.R A.I System
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                  Table Of Contents/Overview
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Imports
# Commander & A.I Name
# WishMe Function

# Main
# - General Conversation, Jokes, & Fun Facts
# -- Search Wikipedia
# --- Search Wolfram Alpha
# ---- Open Stuff on Internet
# ----- Open Stuff on Computer
# ------ Set Reminders & Renewals
# ------- Set ToDo
# -------- Send E-mails
# --------- Stop Program

# Run Program
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                           TODO
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# (1)
# Add More Convo Abilities
# Iterate through pairs.py to do general convo and fix it's output to match the standard format
# Memory Capabilities via Info stored/retrieved in a SQL Database
# Open CV & Guesture Controls??

# (2)
# Setup GUI that takes in Constants (User's Name, DOB, E-Mail, Ect..) & Stores them in Constants.db

# (3)
# Track packages with Baxter - put tracking # in database and have Baxter check on it when updated
# Track prices of items and sends an Email when the price drops

# (4)
# Access to BAXTER via discord or Email.
# Ex: https://realpython.com/how-to-make-a-discord-bot-python/

# (5)
# Renewals & Renewal Reminders via Email, or msg Service Like Discord & Popup msgBox via PyQT

# (6)
# Implement Google/Custom Calendar, so user can add appointments, b-days, events, ect..
# & Have alerts display/popup when events are coming up (1 day & 2-3h before hand)
# Ex: https://pypi.org/project/gcalcli/
# Set Reminders on Google Calendar so they can be view on MagicMirror
# Allow user to better set reminders (pick day, time & repeat times)

# (7)
# Figure out Multitasking!!
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                  Imports
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
import json
import random
import datetime
import operator
import os
import subprocess
import time
import threading  
import sys
import sched
import webbrowser
import requests
from bs4 import BeautifulSoup
import wikipedia
import wolframalpha


from BX_Intents import (greetings, farewell, thanks, noAnswer, youChoose)
from BX_External_Functions import (autoTypeAnimation, StartupText, ShutdownText, 
                                    UserInput, listen, speak, getRandomJoke, getFunFacts,
                                    setReminders, setTodo, terminateTimers, sendEmail,
                                    wishMe, setRenewal, ErrorMsg, offlineWarningMsg,
                                    schedule_reminder)

# Print a warning msg if there is no internet to prevent pywhatkit 
# from crashing the program due to no connection 
try:
    import pywhatkit
except:
    offlineWarningMsg()
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                       Main
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
def BAXTER():
    command = UserInput()
    command=str(command).lower()

    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                       General Conversation (From Intents.py) 
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #Greetings
    patterns, responses = greetings()
    if (command in patterns):
        results = (random.choice(responses))
        autoTypeAnimation(results)
        speak(results)

    #Farewell
    patterns, responses = farewell()
    if (command in patterns):
        results = (random.choice(responses))
        autoTypeAnimation(results)
        speak(results)
    
    #Thanks
    patterns, responses = thanks()
    if (command in patterns):
        results = (random.choice(responses))
        autoTypeAnimation(results)
        speak(results)
    
    #No Response
    patterns, responses = noAnswer()
    if (command in patterns):
        results = (random.choice(responses))
        autoTypeAnimation(results)
        speak(results)

    #-------------------------
    #       Tell a Joke
    #-------------------------
    if ('joke' in command):
        try:
            joke = getRandomJoke()
            autoTypeAnimation(joke)
            speak(joke)
            return
        except:
            ErrorMsg("get", "jokes")
    #-------------------------
    #-------------------------
    #     Tell a Fun Fact
    #-------------------------
    if ('fact' in command):
        try:
            funFact = getFunFacts()
            autoTypeAnimation(funFact)
            speak(funFact)
            return
        except:
            ErrorMsg("get", "fun facts")
    #-------------------------
    
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                       Search Wikipedia (General Info)
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    if ('weather' not in command):
        if ('who is' in command) or ('what is the' in command) or ('what is a' in command) or ("what is" in command):
            if ('time' not in command):
                if ('news' not in command):
                    autoTypeAnimation('Searching Wikipedia...')
                    speak('Searching...')
                    command = command.replace("who is","")
                    command = command.replace("what is the","")
                    command = command.replace("what is a","")
                    command = command.replace("what is","")
                    try:
                        results = wikipedia.summary(command, sentences = 2)
                        autoTypeAnimation(results)
                        speak(results) 
                    except:
                        ErrorMsg("connect to", "Wikipedia")
                    
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #               Search Wolfram Alpha (Math/Conversions, Definitions)
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    if ('news' not in command):
        if ('weather' in command) or ('calculate' in command) or ("what's" in command) or ('define' in command) or ("what" in command):
                autoTypeAnimation('Searching Wolfram Alpha...')
                speak('Searching...')
                command = command.replace("calculate","")
                command = command.replace("what's","")
                command = command.replace("define","")
                # Wolframalpha App Id
                appId = 'JH9XHR-W9J76L7H5A'
                try:
                    # Wolfram Instance
                    client = wolframalpha.Client(appId)
                    res = client.query(''.join(command))
                    results = next(res.results).text
                    autoTypeAnimation(results)
                    speak(results)
                except:
                    ErrorMsg("connect to", "Wolfram Alpha database")

    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                       Open Stuff on the Internet
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #Open Youtube Videos (Ex: 'Play __ on youtube')
    if ('youtube' in command):
        autoTypeAnimation("Launching Youtube...")
        speak('Launching Youtube')
        command = command.replace("youtube","")
        try:
            pywhatkit.playonyt(command)
        except:
            ErrorMsg("connect to", "Youtube")

    #Open Google Maps and Find The Location of A You Want
    if ('where is' in command):
        command = command.replace("where is","")
        autoTypeAnimation("Locating" + command + "...")
        speak('Locating' + command)
        webbrowser.open_new_tab("https://www.google.com/maps/place/" + command)

    #Search Stuff on Google
    if ('search' in command):
        command = command.replace("search", "")
        autoTypeAnimation("Searching" + command + " on Google")
        speak('Searching' + command)
        try:
            pywhatkit.search(command)
        except:
            ErrorMsg("connect to" , "Google")
    
    #Close Firefox
    if ('close firefox' in command):
        autoTypeAnimation("Terminating Firefox...")
        speak('Closing Firefox')
        command = command.replace("close firefox", "")
        browser = "firefox.exe"
        try:
            os.system("taskkill /f /im " + browser)   
        except:
            ErrorMsg("close", "Firefox")

    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                       Open Stuff on the Computer
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #Open Windows Media Player and Auto Play the Playlist Called Music
    if ('play music' in command) or ('media player' in command) or ('drop the needle' in command):
        autoTypeAnimation("Launching music...")
        speak("Launching Music")
        command = command.replace("play music", "")
        command = command.replace("media player", "")
        command = command.replace("drop the needle", "")
        try: 
            subprocess.Popen("C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /Playlist Music")
        except:
            ErrorMsg("open","Windows Media Player")

    #Close Windows Media Player
    if ('stop music' in command):
        autoTypeAnimation("Terminating music...")
        speak('Closing Music')
        command = command.replace("stop music", "")
        mediaPlayer = "wmplayer.exe"
        try:
            os.system("taskkill /f /im " + mediaPlayer)
        except:
            ErrorMsg("close", "Windows Media Player")

    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                         Set Reminders & Renewals
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    if ('remind me' in command) or ('reminder' in command) or ('renew' in command):
        command = command.replace("remind me to", "")
        #If renew is mentioned in the command call the setRenewal Function
        if ('renew' in command):
            setRenewal()
        #Else, call the setReminders Function
        else:
            setReminders() #Call setReminders() from External Functions

    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                               Set ToDo
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    if ('todo' in command):
        command = command.replace("add", "")
        command = command.replace("to the todo list", "")
        setTodo(command) #Call setTodo() from External Functions

    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                               Send E-Mails
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    if ('email' in command):
        command = command.replace("email", "")
        sendEmail() #Call send E-Mail function fro External Functions
    
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    #                       Stop Program/Script Command
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    if ('stop' in command) or ('shutdown' in command) or ('quit' in command):
        speak("Shutting Down...")
        results = "Terminating program..."
        autoTypeAnimation(results)
        ShutdownText()
        terminateTimers()
        exit()
    #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#                                   Run The Program
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
def Main():
    StartupText()
    wishMe()
    speak("How may I be of service?")
    while True:
        BAXTER()

def Reminders():
    scheduler = sched.scheduler(time.time, time.sleep) #Create Schedule
    schedule_reminder(scheduler) #Run Reminders
    while True:
        scheduler.run(False)
        while not scheduler.empty():
            scheduler.run(False)

# #Works but Slow. Especially on Startup.
# threading.Thread(target=Main).start()
# threading.Thread(target=Reminders).start()

# threading.Thread(target=Test).start()
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply
#2
It should be simple to have something that occasionally scans through your reminders database to find upcoming events. It shouldn't have to know anything about your existing application. All communication between the user interface and the notifier would be through the database.
Reply


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