Does TestStand support extension dll's?

[richardj]

I am getting ready to evaluate Teststand and want to have some minimal C++ code specific to my device prepared before I install and start the clock ticking. All of the examples I have seen on the web support area appear to be fashioned as 'Regular' dll's (i.e. C-style functions only) Is this the format I must code in or can I choose to code an 'Extension' dll(full support of C++)? If have to use 'Regular' should you choose static or dynamic linking for the best interface with TestStand? Thanks for any advice.

[Scott_Richardson]

Richardj -
The TestStand 3.0 C/C++ DLL Adapter allows you to call C functions and C++ methods in a DLL with a variety of parameter types. In C++ DLLs, the methods can be either global static methods or static class methods. You can create the DLL code module with Microsoft Visual Studio .NET or any other ADE that creates a C/C++ -callable DLL. Additionally, if you have National Instruments Measurement Studio 7.0 (or later) Enterprise Edition and Visual Studio .NET 2003 or later installed,
you can create and edit C++ code modules directly from TestStand.

The online help for TestStand has the following topics that should be of interest:

1) "Exporting Class Methods and Functions in Visual Studio" describes the methods in which the C/C++ Adapter can acce
ss the exported information from the DLL.

2) "Edit C/C++ DLL Call Dialog Box" contains a list of support data types under the Parameter Details Table section. The links in the online help jump to more details per data type. The data types include Numeric, Boolean, String, Object, TS Object, C Struct, Arrays, and selected C++ class types. These topics have a lot of details list capability and any restrictions.

Scott Richardson (NI)