Reading data from an instrument using a GPIB

[afunnyhat]

Hi all,

I'm new to using LabView and am having a few problems. I am trying to use labview to read data from an instrument. The instrument is connected to a pc using a GPIB-USB-HS. I am a little lost going through the help file, is the GPIB read the best function to use and can I take the data and write it to a file?

Thanks,

[crossrulz]

I think you would be better off using the VISA functions.  When you read from the instrument, the Read VISA function will give you a string.  You will need to decode the string and then you can do with that whatever you want.

[Dennis_Knutson]

And before you start writing any code, select Help>Find Instrument Drivers. You might find something already written for your instrument.

And I agree with crossrulz. VISA is the preferred api for instrument communication. It is portable between different protocols (i.e. GPIB/Ethernet/USB/Serial) and different vendors of GPIB controllers.