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Introduction Chapter 1
SC-2040 User Manual 1-2 © National Instruments Corporation
Software Programming Choices
Your SC-2040 kit does not include software. There are four options to choose from when
programming your National Instruments DAQ and SCXI hardware. You can use LabVIEW,
LabWindows, NI-DAQ, or register-level programming software.
The SC-2040 works with LabVIEW for Windows, LabVIEW for Macintosh, LabWindows for
DOS, LabWindows/CVI for Windows, NI-DAQ software for PC compatibles, and NI-DAQ
software for Macintosh.
LabVIEW and LabWindows Application Software
LabVIEW and LabWindows are innovative program development software packages for data
acquisition and control applications. LabVIEW uses graphical programming, whereas
LabWindows enhances traditional programming languages. Both packages include extensive
libraries for data acquisition, instrument control, data analysis, and graphical data presentation.
LabVIEW currently runs on three different platforms–AT/MC/EISA computers running
Microsoft Windows, the Macintosh platform, and the Sun SPARCstation platform. 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,
except that the SCXI functions are not included in the LabVIEW software for Sun.
LabWindows has two versions–LabWindows for DOS is for use on PCs running DOS, and
LabWindows/CVI is for use on PCs running Windows and for Sun SPARCstations.
LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and uses the
ANSI standard C programming language. The LabWindows Data Acquisition Library, a series
of functions for using LabWindows with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is included with
the NI-DAQ software kit. The LabWindows Data Acquisition libraries are functionally
equivalent to the NI-DAQ software, except that the SCXI functions are not included in the
LabWindows/CVI software for Sun.
Using LabVIEW or LabWindows 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 SCXI 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, digital I/O,
counter/timer operations, SCXI, RTSI, self-calibration, messaging, and acquiring data to
extended memory.