Where is the NI-DAQ\EXAMPLES directory? I'm angry with NI

[Xiuping]

In many of the messages posted to this forum, I see references to example ANSI C code for the NI-DAQmx library.  I have installed both versions 8.7.1 and 8.8 of the NI-DAQmx software and there is no such directory within them.  The installation program has an option which supposedly allows you to install the directory of programs but it shows that it is installed by default and contains 0 bytes.  I bought all this expensive hardware intending to use it in C++ programs for robot control.  But there is ABSOLUTELY NO documentation that explains how to set up and use the DAQmx libraries in C or C++.  There is, of course, the "manual" which is only useful if you already know how to use the library.  It contains no explanations of the structure of their library and how it should be used.  It's just a list of functions.  This appears to be typical of NI: no help whatsoever.  I can of course buy Labview for $4000 and get perhaps a few more lines of help.

So what happened to said directory?  Was it left out of the latest versions of the software due to sheer incompetence (my guess).  

I am angry about this.   I surely would not have bought a DAQ board from NI if I knew that there would be no documentation or help available.  (I guess there is help if I wish to purchase "premium support"..  A premium price for a board isn't enough, apparently. I guess NI makes money on support by providing little information with their products.)  

One message in the forum says to try the example programs list on the website and search for "DAQmx ANSI C" or something similar.  Fine.  Try it and get some hundreds of program descriptions to search through, most of which have absolutely nothing to do with programming C to use the DAQmx.  Lots of C# and VB.  Sheesh.

Anybody out there have a program that simply samples an analog voltage source through an M-series DAQ and to which you would be willing to post a link so that I can see how its done?  Pretty basic but apparently NI does not think its very important to explain how to do it.

Alan Peters

Associate Prof. of Electrical Engineering

Vanderbilt University

[Love]

Hello Xiuping

First of all please cool down, 

secondly could you please be clear what do you want actually & what do you need to achieve that.?

Regards

Love Diwan 

[Xiuping]

Dear Love,

Apparently my anger got in the way of my questions.  They were:

(1)  Is there any basic documentation on how to use the DAQmx C library and its functional components?  If so, where may I obtain it?   The NI-DAQmx C reference is nearly worthless in that respect; it is simply as list of the functions and thier arguments.

(2)  The directory of ANSI C examples is apparently no longer included with the DAQmx software distribution. (v. 8.7.1 & 8.8).  Can the directory and its contents be found elsewhere?  If so, where?

(3) Does anyone reading this have a very simple example program that reads voltages from a DAQ channel and saves them in a buffer?  If so would you, kindly, post it here?

(4) Is it your experience that NI's products are poorly documented and that basic information about the use of their products is available only if one buys a service contract along with the equipment?

Alan Peters

(logged in here under the account of my colleague, Xiuping)

[AdnanZ]

Hi Alan,

I hope you are doing well today! I am sure you must have looked at the wrong place for the ANSI C DAQmx examples. Have a look at the following knowledge base articles:

Location of ANSI C NI-DAQmx Shipping Examples and DAQmx Library File for Windows
Installing NI-DAQmx Examples for LabWindows/CVI

You can also access the reference help at the following link:

Start -> All Programs ->National Instruments -> NI-DAQ ->NI-DAQ C Reference Help

Let me know if you need any other help.

[Brad_K]

Hi Alan,

In addition to what Adnan Z. said, DAQmx 8.8 added start menu shortcuts for the C/C++/.NET examples. They are at Start Menu » All Programs » National Instruments » NI-DAQ » Text-based Code.

Brad