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Introduction Chapter 1
Lab-PC+ User Manual 1-2 © National Instruments Corporation
Software Programming Choices
There are several options to choose from when programming your National Instruments DAQ
and SCXI hardware. You can use LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, NI-DAQ, or register-level
programming.
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI Application Software
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI are innovative program development software packages for
data acquisition and control applications. LabVIEW uses graphical programming, whereas
LabWindows/CVI enhances traditional programming languages. Both packages include
extensive libraries for data acquisition, instrument control, data analysis, and graphical data
presentation.
LabVIEW features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and a powerful graphical
programming language. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Library, a series of VIs for using
LabVIEW with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is included with LabVIEW. The LabVIEW
Data Acquisition VI Libraries are functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and uses the
ANSI standard C programming language. The LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition Library, a
series of functions for using LabWindows/CVI with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is
included with the NI-DAQ software kit. The LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition libraries are
functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
Using LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI software will greatly reduce the development time for
your data acquisition and control application.
NI-DAQ Driver Software
The NI-DAQ driver software is included at no charge with all National Instruments DAQ
hardware. NI-DAQ is not packaged with signal conditioning or accessory products. NI-DAQ has
an extensive library of functions that you can call from your application programming
environment. These functions include routines for analog input (A/D conversion), buffered data
acquisition (high-speed A/D conversion), analog output (D/A conversion), waveform generation
(timed D/A conversion), digital I/O, counter/timer operations, SCXI, RTSI, calibration,
messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory.
NI-DAQ has both high-level DAQ I/O functions for maximum ease of use and low-level DAQ
I/O functions for maximum flexibility and performance. Examples of high-level functions are
streaming data to disk or acquiring a certain number of data points. An example of a low-level
function is writing directly to registers on the DAQ device. NI-DAQ does not sacrifice the
performance of National Instruments DAQ devices because it lets multiple devices operate at
their peak performance.