how to convert labview 7.0 for xp to linux

[whatsthis 163]

I am considering converting my labview app to linux. I was curious how difficult and error prone this conversion can be. Is converting an app to linux that relies heavily on nidaq drivers, data aquisition cards(6052e), and some homemade dll's a smooth or painfull process? Is the linux version very stable? All input, suggestions, comments are appreciated.

[ryanm]

A vi can simply be moved from a Windows machine to a Linux machine. When the user tries to run this vi, the machine code will be recompiled. Assuming there are no operating system dependent calls, it should run problem free.

In your case the .dll's would need to be recompiled into .so files. If the dll's are not dependent on the Windows operating system, this should not be a problem. Once this is done, the library nodes in Labview would need to be updated.

The DAQmx Base drivers would need to be used for Linux. This driver has only a portion of the functionality of the driver you are currently using in Windows. This could work well or cause you trouble depending on what you are doing. To find out more on this driver please go to www.ni.com/support. Sele
ct Product Reference -> Drivers and Updates -> Current Versions from the menu on the right portion of the screen. Now select Multifunction DAQ under Measurement and Hardware. Once here you can select the Linux driver and navigate to the readme file.

[whatsthis 163]

What about performance/stability? Are there any known advantages/disadvantages for labiew in linux.?

[ryanm]

Since Linux is a more stable operating system, when Labview is run in Linux it will be more stable. A disadvantage of Labview on a Linux machine is that nothing Windows specific will work. For example Active X is windows specific and will not work on a Linux machine. As a mentioned before, the drivers for Linux have limited functionality when compared to the current windows version. The ease of migrating from Labview for Windows to Labview for Linux depends how heavily a person is tied to the Windows operating system and if the DAQmx base driver will give the functionality needed by the application.