©
National Instruments Corporation
4-1
Chapter
4
Begin to Use
the GPIB Software
This chapter helps you get started with the GPIB software.
Introduction to the Win32 Interactive Control Utility
You can use the interactive control utility to enter NI-488 functions and
NI-488.2 routines interactively and see the values returned by the
function calls. You can use the utility to do the following:
•
Verify GPIB communication with your device.
•
Learn the NI-488 functions and NI-488.2 routines before you write
your application.
•
Become familiar with the commands of your device.
•
Receive data from your GPIB device.
•
Troubleshoot problems with your application.
To run this utility, select the Win32 Interactive Control item under
Start»Programs»National Instruments GPIB. This utility includes
extensive online help, available by entering
help
at the
:
prompt.
For more information about the Win32 Interactive Control utility, refer
to the GPIB User Manual for Win32.
Introduction to the NI Spy Utility
Included with the GPIB software is NI Spy, a Win32 utility that can be
used to monitor NI-488.2 calls made by Win32, Win16, and DOS GPIB
applications. You can use NI Spy to do the following:
•
Capture information about NI-488 functions and NI-488.2 routines
as they are invoked by your GPIB applications.
•
Display captured information, including, but not limited to, input
and output parameter values, I/O buffer contents, and return values.
•
Save, restore, and print captured information.
