How to use VB.NET without LabView or Measurement Studio?

[kevink52]

I have been unable to find any VB examples that do not assume LabView or Measurement Studio. I found a comment somewhere that there aren't any such examples. To proceed, I think I need
. the names of the DAQ or DAQmx DLLs to import into a VB project
. a file that defines the DLL entry points for any language (C, Java, VB)
. a complete example in any other language of using those DLLs.

I chose this category because there isn't a category for my question!

[bilalD]

Hello

Im assuming you're trying to do data aquisition with the DAQmx driver using VB.NET? For that you dont need to install LabVIEW or Measurement Studio. You would need to install the NI-DAQ ( the newest is 7.1), have the .NET 1.1 framework and VS.NET 2003. The driver installs the assemblies so you can use them like any native .NET component. It should also install examples for VB.NET under ..\MeasurementStudio70\DotNET\Examples. If you cant find these examples or any of these, run the installer for NI-DAQ, select custom install and make sure the component is selected.

I hope this helps

Bi
lal Durrani
NI

[kevink52]

I have already installed NI-DAQ 7.0 and have a G:\Program Files\National Instruments\MeasurementStudio\VB\Samples\DAQ area.

When reinstalling, there isn't a Custom option, but a tree of selectable components. Under traditional NI-DAQ 7.0, MS VB Support is selected and under NI-DAQmx 7.0, there aren't any VB options.

Should we discuss the VB\Samples\DAQ examples, or must I download & install 7.1?

Thanks.

[bilalD]

Are you using VB 6 or VB.NET? Because the traditional daq driver provides an interface for VB 6.0, while the daqmx driver provides a vb.net and c# interface. I have attached a snapshot with the differneces between the two.
Always better to get the newer drivers, but its setup the same way.
Hope this helps.

Bilal

[kevink52]

For whatever reason, the .NET Language Support option was not installed. When I reran the 7.0 installation, G:\Program Files\National Instruments\MeasurementStudio70\DotNET was installed. I modified and ran the WriteDigChan example and could cycle through the LEDs on my breakout board.

Thanks for your help!

This topic doesn't belong in the DDK area. I think there should be a new category under Other Software.

[kevink52]

I think I installed DAQ7 and then VS.NET. I suspect that DAQ7 didn't install the VS examples when VS wasn't installed and that was the source of my problem.

[ssniguy]

I stumbled on to this thread while I was investigating the use of VB (.et or 6.0) vs. LabVIEW. Could one of you explain to me why I would consider VB over LabVIEW? I'd be very interested.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

john

[Kevin L]

Hello,

If you are in the process of determining what programming environment would be best suited for your application, I would highly recommend reading over the following documents.

Article 1  Article 2 Article 3 

Also, I found this post which shows some NI customers’ opinions on Visual Basic vs. LabVIEW.

Discussion Form Post

I hope that you will find this information useful when making your software decisions.

Regards,
Kevin L.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[ssniguy]

Right on Kevin! I was looking for info of this nature. Will forward it to people around the office.

Thanks again. Will get back to you re: any further questions.

john