first attempt at looping

server.py

@@ -1,21 +1,30 @@
+import multiprocessing
 import os
 import random
+import time
 
 from flask import Flask, jsonify, request, abort 
 
-LIGHT_IDS = [ '23', '24', '22', '25', '17']
+# set to true to print light values instead of setting
+DEV_MODE = False
+
+DEFAULT_INCR = 0.01
 LIGHT_BRIGHTS = [0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0]
+LIGHT_IDS = [ '23', '24', '22', '25', '17']
 MAX_BRIGHTNESS = 0.8
 MIN_BRIGHTNESS = 0.0
-DEFAULT_INCR = 0.01
 NUM_LIGHTS = 5
 
 app = Flask(__name__) 
+command_queue = multiprocessing.Queue()
 
 def set_light(light_id, brightness):
     LIGHT_BRIGHTS[light_id] = brightness
-    os.system("echo " + LIGHT_IDS[light_id] + "=" + str(brightness)
-              + " > /dev/pi-blaster")
+    if DEV_MODE:
+        print LIGHT_IDS[light_id] + ": " + str(brightness)
+    else:
+        os.system("echo " + LIGHT_IDS[light_id] + "=" + str(brightness)
+                  + " > /dev/pi-blaster")
 
 def all_lights_up(incr):
     while True:
@@ -95,25 +104,27 @@ def randomize():
                 set_light(i, LIGHT_BRIGHTS[i] - incr)
         if done:
             return
-
-
+
 @app.route('/wave')
 def wave_endpoint():
     wave_lights()
     return '{}'
 
 @app.route('/up')
 def up_endpoint():
-    all_lights_up(DEFAULT_INCR)
+    command_queue.put("UP")
     return '{}'
 
 @app.route('/down')
 def down_endpoint():
-    all_lights_down(DEFAULT_INCR)
+    command_queue.put("DOWN")
     return '{}'
 
 @app.route('/blink')
 def blink_endpoint():
+    command_queue.put("BLINK")
+    return '{}'
+
     light_id_arg = request.args.get('light')
     if not light_id_arg:
         all_lights_down(DEFAULT_INCR)
@@ -177,7 +188,24 @@ def sparkle_endpoint():
         randomize()
     all_lights_up(DEFAULT_INCR)
     return '{}'
-
+
+def test_loop():
+    command = "STEADY"
+    while True:
+      if not command_queue.empty():
+          command = command_queue.get()
+      if command == "BLINK":
+          blink_light(0)
+      elif command == "UP":
+          all_lights_up(DEFAULT_INCR)
+          command = "STEADY"
+      elif command == "DOWN":
+          all_lights_down(DEFAULT_INCR)
+          command = "STEADY"
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     all_lights_up(DEFAULT_INCR / 5)
+    p = multiprocessing.Process(target=test_loop)
+    p.start()
     app.run(debug=True)
+    p.join()