It is possible to access a Microsoft Access database from LabVIEW without using the Database Connectivity Toolset, but it is not an easy task. Basicly it involves using ActiveX calls in LabVIEW to access either the Microsoft ADO (ActiveX Data Object) or DAO (Data Access Object) class. To do this you will need to know how to accomplish 2 key tasks:
1. Automating processes with ActiveX in LabVIEW
2. Navigating the class hierarchy of the specified ActiveX class (DAO or ADO in this case)
The first task is detailed in the following
tuturial. The second task will require you to do some research on
www.msdn.com, the Microsoft Developer's Network. The following
Knowledge Base can help you get started, though. Please note that the example attached at the bottom of this document was written in version 7.1 of LabVIEW, and can therefore not be opened in your eval version (7.0). If you are just getting started with LabVIEW, however, I would strongly recommend that you download and install the newest eval version of our LabVIEW software package, LabVIEW 8. Documents written in LabVIEW 7.1 can be opened in LabVIEW 8.
With all that said, the best option would be to purchase the Database Connectivity Toolset. This will provide native access to a Microsoft Access Database from within LabVIEW. The toolset helps formulate the necessary SQL commands for the interaction, but above all the best reasons for considering this toolset are the documentation and examples that come with it. These will drastically simplify the learning curve involved with getting started with LabVIEW and database communication. You can view the manual for this toolset
here.
Jarrod S.
National Instruments
