First steps with ROS - learning path (backport #6322)

source/First-Steps.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+.. _First-steps-with-ROS-learning-path:
+
+First steps with ROS - learning path
+====================================
+
+ROS (Robot Operating System) is an open-source ecosystem that provides framework, tools, and libraries for building, deploying, running, and maintaining robotic applications.
+This page presents a set of articles and hands-on activities to introduce the main concepts behind the ROS framework.
+Working through these will give you the essential knowledge needed to start developing applications with ROS.
+
+**Area: ROS-framework | Content-type: learning-path | Experience: beginner**
+
+.. contents:: Contents
+    :depth: 2
+    :local:
+
+Summary
+-------
+
+The ROS framework is the “plumbing” which makes communication between different parts of a robot possible.
+It includes messaging, standard interfaces, and support for multiple programming languages and platforms.
+
+You need to understand the fundamental concepts of the framework before you can work with ROS to develop or maintain applications.
+The turtlesim tool and the tutorials in this site will help you get up to speed.
+
+
+Prerequisites
+-------------
+
+None.
+The steps outlined in this article will guide you through downloading and installing everything you need to learn the basics of ROS.
+
+Steps
+-----
+
+1 Learn about fundamental concepts behind ROS
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+* About ROS
+* :doc:`/Concepts/Basic/About-Nodes`
+* Interfaces (topics, services, actions)
+* :doc:`/Concepts/Basic/About-Parameters`
+
+2 Install ROS and turtlesim
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+ROS installation includes the essential packages for working with ROS.
+If you're familiar with Linux, our recommended platform is Ubuntu (deb packages).
+Otherwise, a good alternative installation platform is Windows (binaries): :doc:`Installation options </Installation>`
+
+With turtlesim, a lightweight 2D simulation tool designed for beginners, you can learn core ROS concepts in a simple visual environment: :doc:`Install and set up turtlesim </Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Introducing-Turtlesim/Introducing-Turtlesim>`
+
+3 Try out working with the main communication components of the ROS framework
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Use turtlesim to familiarize yourself with the main communication components and try out messaging in the ROS framework.
+
+#. Complete the nodes tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Understanding-ROS2-Nodes/Understanding-ROS2-Nodes`
+#. Complete the topics tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Understanding-ROS2-Topics/Understanding-ROS2-Topics`
+#. Complete the services tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Understanding-ROS2-Services/Understanding-ROS2-Services`
+#. Complete the parameters tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Understanding-ROS2-Parameters/Understanding-ROS2-Parameters`
+#. Complete the actions tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Understanding-ROS2-Actions/Understanding-ROS2-Actions`
+
+4 Learn about introspection with logs
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Introspection enables you to see information about how a system is operating.
+Nodes use logs to output messages concerning events and status in a variety of ways.
+
+To see introspection through logs in action, complete the rqt_console tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Using-Rqt-Console/Using-Rqt-Console`
+
+5 Learn about using launch files
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Launch files allow you to start and configure a number of processes containing ROS nodes simultaneously, instead of opening multiple terminals and re-entering configuration details for each node.
+
+Complete the launch files tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Launching-Multiple-Nodes/Launching-Multiple-Nodes`
+
+6 Learn about data recording and playback
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Sometimes it's useful to replay data to reproduce the results of your tests and experiments, to debug your robot's behaviour, or to share your work with others.
+
+Complete the recording and playback tutorial: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools/Recording-And-Playing-Back-Data/Recording-And-Playing-Back-Data`
+
+Next steps
+----------
+
+To complete your knowledge of the ROS framework, we recommend familiarizing yourself with ROS client libraries: :doc:`/Tutorials/Beginner-Client-Libraries`

source/Tutorials.rst

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ For quick solutions to more specific questions, see the :doc:`How-To-Guides`.
 .. toctree::
    :maxdepth: 2
 
+   First-Steps
    Tutorials/Beginner-CLI-Tools
    Tutorials/Beginner-Client-Libraries
    Tutorials/Intermediate