A dll is a nice bundle of functions that are written so that many programs can use the dll(and the functions inside). Generally instrument manufacutures will write a driver for their instrument and bundle those functions in a dll. This way other programs like C, VB, and LabVIEW can access those functions and use the instrument. NI does not write drivers for other companies' products--only the manufucaturer of the instrument does that. It is a non trivial exercise to get the dll to work with LabVIEW properly (it is generally a funtion of the quality of documentation the dll writers provide), so don't dispair if it takes you some time. To learn more about calling dlls, look at some shipping docs. Open LabVIEW 6.1 >> help >> Search the LabVI
EW bookshelf >> Using external code in LabVIEW.
The LabVIEW user manual can also be found by opening LabVIEW 6.1 >> help >> Search the LabVIEW bookshelf >> LabVIEW user manual.
ActiveX is a different technology but works simmilarly in the sence that one progam can use the functionality of another. There are tomes on the subject. Goto the following link and search for activex labview to find NI's web resources.
http://search.ni.com/?col=alldocs&layout=TechResources&ql=a
You can find the LV activex shipping examples by opening LabVIEW >> help >> find examples >> communication with external applications >> activex .
Using ActiveX fluidly take some time. If you are new to it, I suggest playing with internet explorer in a LV activeX container. It is called something like Microsoft Web Browser.
