Test Station Configuration Data

[mbuttman]

This may be a matter of personal opinion but I was wondering what is the preferred way of storing test station configuration data (i.e. GPIB address, Visa resource name, IP address, etc.)? I was leaning towards XML but Access, ini, and txt files all look like options to consider.

[Dave_Kaufman]

Everyone does it to their own tastes and needs, but I think using Access or XML is a little over-doing it, since most config data is limited to a few lines of text. For 1D config data (one parameter, one value), I use a .txt or .ini file. If the config data is 2D (multiple values for each parameter), I use Excel files and then make active-X calls or .csv files and read in a spreadsheet string.

Dave.

[Dennis_Knutson]

For most things, I tend to use ini files. They're simple to create, maintain, and distribute. In this case, all instrument configuration data should already be in visaconf.ini that is created by MAX. You can find it in \VXIpnp\WinNT\NIvisa.

[mbuttman]

I have looked into visaconf.ini but it will not support channel info which most of my instruments have.