A ROS package is not the same as a single Python file. Instead, it is a structured directory that serves as the main unit for organizing software in the Robot Operating System (ROS). A package can contain a variety of resources such as:
package.xml (the package manifest) and CMakeLists.txt (the build configuration)1567.A ROS package is the smallest unit you can build, release, and reuse in ROS. It is more like a folder containing all the files and resources needed for a particular module or functionality, rather than a single script or file126. For example, a package might contain several Python files, C++ source files, configuration files, and launch scripts, all working together to provide a specific capability.
Typical structure of a ROS package:
textmy_package/ ├── package.xml # Manifest with metadata and dependencies ├── CMakeLists.txt # Build instructions ├── src/ # Source code (e.g., Python or C++) ├── scripts/ # Executable scripts (often Python) ├── launch/ # Launch files ├── config/ # Configuration files ├── msg/ # Custom message definitions ├── srv/ # Service definitions └── ... # Other resources
Summary:
A ROS package is a directory containing all the files and resources needed for a specific ROS functionality. It can include Python files, but it is not itself a Python file—it is a higher-level organizational unit designed for modularity and reusability in robotic software development1267.