I am developing an instrument driver in LabVIEW 6i. I have developed a few drivers before, so I have already read many times application note 6 �Developing a LabVIEW Instrument Driver�. My problem this time is about assigning error codes.
With old error code assignment, I used to divide instrument driver error codes in two categories: instrument specific errors and developer defined errors. Under �instrument specific errors� I placed all errors documented in the instrument manual. Under �developer defined errors� I used to place errors that were not documented in the instrument manual but could be generated when communicating with the instrument: instrument not present, not a valid response to a query, etc.
This was possible because in older LabVIEW versions (e.g. Version 4) error codes assignment was quite clear. Even more, there was an application note (LabVIEW Error Codes � May 1997 Part Number 321551A-01) that explained error assignment in each subcategory. In this application note there was an specific assignment for both categories:
- instrument specific errors: -1300
- developer specified errors: -13xx
- And it was also possible to use error codes between 5000 � 9999 for user defined errors.
Now with LabVIEW 6i I am not sure whether to continue with this methodology or not. When I consult Lab View�s online help it seems that I could do it. But when I read application note 6 �Developing a LabVIEW Instrument Driver� it seems I can not.
At the moment these are my conclusions about the problem. I would like to know if they are right and if there is a new version of the application note �LabVIEW Error Codes � May 1997 Part Number 321551A-01�.
- Error Codes 13xx are old non VXIPnP instrument driver error codes. Therefore these codes should not be used any more.
- At the moment the only error codes available for instrument driver development are codes between BFFC0804 and BFFC0FFF. Inside this range, there is not a clear division between instrument specific errors and developer defined errors. Therefore error codes assignment inside this range is left at the developer discretion.
- Error codes between 5000 and 9999 can be used in general application development for specifying developer defined errors.
Thanks for your help.
