Chapter 1 Getting Started with Your 653X
© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 653X User Manual
Choosing Your Programming Software
When programming your National Instruments measurement hardware,
you can use either National Instruments application software or another
application development environment (ADE).

National Instruments Application Software

LabVIEW and LabVIEW RT feature interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art
user interface, and a powerful graphical programming language. The
LabVIEW Data Acquisition Virtual Instrument (VI) Library, a series of
virtual instruments for using LabVIEW with National Instruments DAQ
hardware, is included with LabVIEW. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition
VILib rary is functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ API.
As with LabVIEW, you develop your LabVIEW RT applications
with graphical programming, then download the program to run on
an independent hardware target with a real-time operating system.
LabVIEW RT allows you to use the 6533 digital DAQ devices in two
different configurations: PCI/PXI-7030/6533 devices, and PXI-6533
devices in PXI systems being controlled in real time by LabVIEW RT.
Measurement Studio, which includes LabWindows/CVI, tools for Visual
C++, and tools for Visual Basic, is a development suite that allows you to
use ANSI C, Visual C++, and Visual Basic to design your test and
measurement software. For C developers, Measurement Studio includes
LabWindows/CVI, a fully integrated ANSI C application development
environment that features interactive graphics and the LabWindows/CVI
Data Acquisition and Easy I/O libraries. For Visual Basic developers,
Measurement Studio features a set of ActiveX controls for using National
Instruments DAQ hardware. These ActiveX controls provide a high-level
programming interface for building virtual instruments. For Visual C++
developers, Measurement Studio offers a set of Visual C++ classes and
tools to integrate those classes into Visual C++ applications. The libraries,
ActiveX controls, and classes are available with Measurement Studio and
the NI-DAQ software.
VirtualBench features virtual instruments that combine DAQ products,
software, and your computer to create a stand-alone instrument with the
added benefits of the processing, display, and storage capabilities of your
computer. VirtualBench instruments load and save waveform data to disk
in the same forms that can be used in popular spreadsheet programs and
word processors.