API Template Project?

[EduNI]

I have a need to integrate a third party software into my LabVIEW code. The software has a well documented API and available dll. I realize that integrating third party APIs can be very involved depending on the complexity of the API.  In my case I simply need to create some objects, provide callbacks, execute a few methods on those objects, then destroy and cleanup the objects when finished. In my search of the LabVIEW documentation and forums, I found that VeriStand has a Custom Device Template tool for use with Custom Device API Library Template VIs.  Does such a tool or template exist for LabVIEW?  The closest thing I found was an Instrument Driver Template project. Is it appropriate to use this as a starting point for APIs too or is there a better solution?

Thanks!

[rsmayer]

Hi EduNI,

Are you planning on working with any third party hardware in addition to the software? Additionally could you link the exact documentation you are looking at regarding the Instrument Driver Template project just so I'm on the same page of what you're referencing?

Thanks!

[EduNI]

With the LabVIEW Getting Started window open, click Create Project button. Select Templates, then select Instrument Driver Project.

[rsmayer]

What specific third party .dll are you planning on using, and is it publicly available to download? I was going to look through it since I'm not extremely familiar with the Instrument Driver Project, and I want to be sure what the best option would be for implementing this.

[EduNI]

Unfortunately no, the dll is not public. It is a .NET dll that is part of an OEM SDK for a measurment device.  Only some of the objects are for communication with the device but the majority of the hardware is abstracted to a few connect and run this test types of object.  My question is more of a generic one.  How do people go about writing LV code for third party SDKs? Perhaps too general a question.

[rsmayer]

Here is a good resource for calling .NET Assemblies, there are articles which walk you through most of the process of creating the correct nodes to access methods in your dll. The Instrument Driver Template project you referenced does not seem to be the correct thing you are looking for. You may also have some luck using the example finder under the "Help" menu inside of LabVIEW, and by searching .dll or .net.

[EduNI]

Thanks for the .NET command reference link. It is a good condensed reference for using .NET with LabVIEW. Most are simple examples. What I was looking for was more of a framework or template as a starting point.  I simply didn't want to re-invent the wheel if something already existed. I realize that a template or framework may depend largely on the .NET library that one is trying to utilize. Again, perhaps too broad of a question.  Thanks again for chiming in!

[rsmayer]

Right, it may be perhaps a little too broad, most of the resources I was able to find were just examples of how to set it up, nothing extremely specific. I think that probably is because .NET offers a little bit of everything. If you have any questions about your specific design, or have any problems you run into, feel free to ask.