Is it better to convert a LLB to a directory for editing subVI's or should the LLB just be edited as it stands?

[ggaryt]

I'm editing a instrument driver LLB and would like to know if converting the LLB to a directory is the way to edit the subVI's or should the LLB be left intack?

[Dennis_Knutson]

An llb is sort of obsolete and new drivers do not use them. If you have LabVIEW 8.x or above and are making considerable changes, you might want to consider converting it to a project style driver. Otherwise, it probably does not make much difference as long as you keep a current backup of the llb. A single corrup VI in the llb will make the whole llb unreadable. If you decide to convert to a folder and keep it that way, you'll have to recreate the mnu files that came with the driver.

[ggaryt]

Thank you Dennis,

I'll take a look at what I have to do to convert to a project style driver but I'm still pretty new at LabView.

Gary

[Dennis_Knutson]

What's the instrument and where did you get the driver? What modifications are you planning on making?

[ggaryt]

Dennis,

The driver is for an HP6XXXA power supply and I'm editing it so that it will work with the 6624 & 27A power supplies which are 4 channel.  I have converted the main front panel so that all four supplies can be written and read with on execution of the driver.  Now I'm working on getting the store and recall VI and the Output On_Off VI setup so you can invoke them from the front panel via a button.  So I was wondering if it was easier to do this modification with the LLB still intact or to break it into a directory and recreate the LLB.

If I may I have another quick question for you.  I have the "Learning with LabVIEW by Robert Bishop and I'm looking for the next book to help me with my LabVIEW development.  I have noticed a couple of books that are out there one by Gary Johnson and Richard Jennings on LabVIEW Graphical Programming and one from Rick Bitter, Taqi Mohiaddin, and Matt Nawrocki on LabVIEW Advanced Programming Techniques (second edition).  Which of the two would you recommend to a beginner LabVIEW programmer.  I have experience with VB.Net, C++ and NI's CVI in which I took the one week course in Austin.  So I have some background with coding but LabVIEW is a very different animal so any input will be greatly appreciated.

Gary Tyrna

[Dennis_Knutson]

According to the notes for the Agilent 6xxx project style driver, there is support for the 6624A. This is later than the llb version. If you stick with modifying the llb, then as I said, there exists the danger of corrupting the llb.

Typically, you would leave the low level functions alone and create/modify a top level example. That sort of sounds like what you are doing.

I have no personal experience with any of the books so I really can't recomend one over another.

[ggaryt]

Dennis,

Thank you for all your input and I'll look for the project driver on the NI site.

Thanks Again,

Gary

[Mark_Yedinak]

I can recommend the book LabVIEW Advanced Programming Techniques. It is a good book. (Besides I am listed in the acknowledgements). Another excellent book that I highly recommend is The LabVIEW Stule Book by Peter Blume.

[ggaryt]

Thank You Mark,

I'm looking at ordering one but both of the one you list would be a good asset for programming.

Thanks Again and Happy Friday,

Gary Tyrna