Is Labview my best option?

[Peter McMillan]

Hi folks,
I'm after a new all-purpose piece of data acquisition software to
replace a couple of DOS-based packages I've been using for years. Our
applications are usually one-off small projects where we never quite
use the same routine twice. There is very seldom an instance where we
might create one routine and use it for a long period without needing
to hack it up a little.

I've looked long and hard at Labview, but I'm concerned that some of
our guys who have little or no instrumentation or computing background
at all are going to struggle to come to grips with it. I think the
learning curve is just going to be too steep for them. Are there any
recommendations out there for an alternate package that is less
complex, and more foolproof? M
y hardware will be run-of-the-mill
National Instruments PCI data acquisition cards, and the programming
requirements are mostly just the ability to collect data across a
number of analog voltage channels with a reasonable degree of control
over loop timing etc. Data manipulation other than the most basic
y=mx+c and a few running statistics and write to file things can be
done elsewhere.

Any suggestions welcome.
Peter

PS For the historians out there, the software I've been using for the
last N years (where N is an embarassingloy long period of time) is
Viewdac. Anyone else still soldiering on with it?

[Joe_H]

Hi peter,

As far as i'm concerned labview is your best choice, especially since you are going to be using NI equipment already. Besides the learning curve is not that dificult (almost none). Just to give you an example. I had no programming experience and had my first data ACQ system up and running in just over a week. And I was not using NI equipment I had to use a Datel card with just a few labview examples to work with.I bought a book called Labview for everyone second edition studied it and wrote the program. Not only that look at your alternatives. C++,C#, .Net, Visual Basic, Labwindows CVI which you have to know C++. Look at the learnig curve on those, unless you know something about them already then your best choice is Labview, (endless possibilitie
s).Labview is not a general programming language anymore and you can do everything with it and you can create Robust applications. Not only that it is a lot easier to manage and change.

Good luck programming and I hope you make the right choice(Labview)

Joe

[bfarley]

Peter,
You didnt mention what kind of experience and what tools you already have. That could make a difference in this case. If you have sw guys who are already familiar with MS technologies (Visual Studio etc), and you already own it, LV may not be the best choice - especially since you are doing small one-offs. There is a learning curve for a traditional programmer, and buying LV itself is not cheap. In the long run, LV would be well suited otherwise.

[SVences]

LabVIEW is a graphical development environment that gives you the flexibility of a programming language without the complexity of traditional development tools. The learning curve is not difficult; you can create measurement and control applications rapidly and at minimal cost. Regardless of experience, LabVIEW makes development fast and easy for all users.

Also, since you are using National Instruments� hardware already, LabVIEW is the best choice to easily interface with it.

If you want, I could have a technical representative contact you to discuss your application and needs, and decide whether LabVIEW is your best alternative or not. If you would like me to do so, please provide an email address where we can contact you and your zip code.

S Vences
Ap
plications Engineer
National Instruments