Announcing the LabWindows™/CVI 2020 Beta Program!

[Johannes_T]

I am pleased to announce the LabWindows/CVI 2020 Beta is now open for registration!

LabWindows/CVI 2020 includes added support for using UTF-8 strings. This allows you to develop CVI applications that can contain any characters from the UTF-8 character set, which will be displayed correctly on any system.

Here are some highlights:

Support for UTF-8 Strings

• UI Library and UI Editor – Develop user interfaces that can display UTF-8 strings by using the new encoding attribute for controls, panels, and menus.
• Other CVI libraries – Expand the functionality of your application with added UTF-8 support to the TDM Streaming Library, Formatting Library, Utility Library, DDE Library, RS-232 Library, ANSI-C Library, ActiveX Library, Internet Library, Toolslib Library, XML Library, INI Library, Menu Utility Library, and a subset of custom controls.
• Debugging Tools – Debug applications containing UTF-8 characters using the environment debugger integration tools such as the Array Display, Watch Window, and Variables Window.
• Source Code Editor – Write source code containing UTF-8 strings or change the encoding of the current source file using the Edit menu utilities.

Project Encoding Conversion

• Convert the encoding of existing ANSI projects to UTF-8 or vice-versa. Change the project encoding from the Edit Project dialog box, accessed from Edit » Project or enable the Convert projects to UTF-8 on load in the Environment dialog box, accessed from Options » Environment.

Live Error Indicator

• View errors and diagnostics in the source editor before compiling a project.

To sign up for the LabWindows/CVI 2020 Beta, complete the following steps:

1. Navigate to the Beta Program Resource Center (ni.com/beta), select “LabWindows/CVI 2020 Beta” from the list of software, and click APPLY NOW.
2. Complete the beta application. Please ensure that you read and accept the Terms and Conditions of the beta program so that you can be approved.
3. After you submit your request, please be patient with us as we process your application. Once you are approved, navigate to the Beta Program Resource Center (ni.com/beta) to access the beta software. Registration does not necessarily guarantee you a position in the beta program. Determination of acceptance into the program is up to the sole discretion of National Instruments.

Your feedback is highly appreciated!

Registration does not necessarily guarantee you a position in the beta program. Determination of acceptance into the program is up to the sole discretion of National Instruments.

Please email your feedback directly to the Beta Coordinator at cvi.beta@ni.com, or join the discussion in the private Discussion Forum. We are especially interested in feedback regarding the upgraded UTF-8 support features and the new Live Error Indicator. To report issues, log on to the Beta website and click the Report a Bug link. Please do not post questions or feedback about the beta on the NI Discussion forums. Posts that reference the beta or beta features will be removed.

I look forward to working with you during this Beta, and please let me know if you have any questions!

Johannes Turner
CVI R&D, National Instruments

[Wolfgang]

This sounds GREAT! 🤗

Both that NI CVI is back to an annual release cycle and that Unicode finally will be fully supported.

[vix]

I hope this is not the only change.

A lot of ideas from the Idea Exchanhe forum need to be implemented as soon as possible.

And even soon, it's too late 😞

[vix]

Here is a list of ideas from Idea Exchange forum that are mandatory in LabWindows/CVI 2020 IMHO:

• Update Microsoft Windows SDK support from 8.1 to 10 - proposed 2018

• Support the current standard for the C programming language, C11 - proposed 2017
• Support of clang 3.9/4.0 with OpenMP3.1 - proposed 2016 (now clang reached version 10 🙄)
• Integrate open62541 library for OPC UA out-of-the-box - proposed 2019
• Adding (at least partial) support for C++ - proposed several times since 2012

There is also a list of nice-to-have features from Idea Exchange, but I'd be satisfied it the mandatory items are inside CVI 2020.

[Ian.W]

Perhaps the best way to look at it is that this release should make CVI a much more viable tool to a global audience. That in turn should help make the business case to enhance the platform.  We hope! 

[testergi]

@Johannes_T

Regarding the ANSI conversion to UTF-8 encoding for project files, will there be a way to convert this via the CLI or other method and not only manually in the LabWindows/CVI IDE?  We have many projects files and would like to perform the conversion without opening each file.  Thanks