Chapter1 RoutingSignals with Your NI 2590/2591
©NationalInstruments Corporation 1-5 NI2590/2591 User Manual
Software Choices
Youhave several options to choose from when programming your National
Instruments switch module. You can use the NI-SWITCH driver software
orN ational Instruments application software.

NI-SWITCH Driver Software

The NI-SWITCH instrument driver is an Interchangeable Virtual
Instrument (IVI)-compliant instrument driver that is bundled with the
module at no cost.
NI-SWITCH features a set of operations and attributesthat exerciseall
the functionality of the switching hardware, including configuration,
opening/closing, and scanning. In addition, NI-SWITCHNI-SWITCH
comes with an interactivesoft front panel and online documentatio n.
NI-SWITCH eliminates the need to understand complex register
programming and interrupt handling in the Microsoft operating systems,
and freesyou to f ocus on creating yourtest system.

National Instruments Application Software

LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI are innovative program development
softwarepackages for data acquisition and control applications. LabVIEW
usesgraphical programming, whereas LabW indows/CVI enhances
traditional programming languages. Both packages include extensive
librariesfor d ata acquisition, instrument control, data analysis, and
graphicaldata presentation. Using LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI can
significantlyreduce the development time for your data acquisition and
control application.
LabVIEW features interactivegraphics, a state-of-the-art user interface,
and a powerfulgraphical programming language. The LabVIEW
NI-SWITCH VI Library,a series of virtual instruments (VIs) for using
LabVIEW with National Instruments switch hardware, is included with
the NI-SWITCH driver.
LabWindows/CVIfeatures interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user
interface,and uses the ANSI s tandard C programming language. The
LabWindows/CVINI-SWITCH Library, a series of functions for using
LabWindows/CVIwith National Instruments switch hardware, is included
with the NI-SWITCH driver.