Chapter 1
Introduction
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National Instruments Corporation
1-3
Software Programming Choices
You have several options to choose from when programming your National
Instruments 7344 controller. You can use National Instruments application
software, FlexMotion VIs for LabVIEW and BridgeVIEW, or the
FlexMotion software.
Programming the 7344 controller is straightforward using a simple but
powerful high-level function set application programming interface (API).
All setup and motion control functions are easily executed by calling into
either a static or dynamically linked library (DLL). These libraries are
callable from C, Visual Basic, and other high-level languages. Full function
set implementations are available for LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI,
BridgeVIEW, and other industry-standard software programs.
National Instruments Application Software
LabVIEW and BridgeVIEW, based on the graphical programming
language G, feature interactive graphics and a state-of-the-art user
interface. In LabVIEW and BridgeVIEW, you can create 32-bit compiled
programs and stand-alone executables for custom automation, data
acquisition, test, measurement, and control solutions. National Instruments
offers the FlexMotion VI Library, a series of virtual instruments (VIs) for
using LabVIEW and BridgeVIEW with National Instruments motion
control hardware. The Motion VI library implements the full function set
API and a powerful set of demo functions, example programs, and fully
operational, high-level application routines.
ANSI C-based LabWindows/CVI also features interactive graphics and a
state-of-the-art user interface. Using LabWindows/CVI, you can generate
C code for custom data acquisition, test, and all measurement and
automation solutions. The FlexMotion software includes a series of sample
programs for using LabWindows/CVI with National Instruments motion
control hardware.
