LabVIEWfor Windows

LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment software that is optimized for engineers and scientists. Developed by National Instruments, this software uses a visual approach to programming and is a great program for beginner programmers. You can create visual charts like data flow charts and connect hardware created by NI and other vendors. The programming environment software is available for Apple Mac, Linux, and Microsoft Windows PC 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

MATLAB is another programming environment that is similar to LabVIEW. MATLAB is geared toward numbers whereas LabVIEW focuses on visualizations. While MATLAB computes and processes data, LabVIEW gathers and tests information. Simulink is another alternative app that is created by MathWorks, the same developers of MATLAB. The Simulink user experience is more comparable to LabVIEW since diagrams are used in both applications.

What is LabVIEW software used for?

LabVIEW is used to organize scientific and technical data. The visual approach to programming lets you intuitively populate the data into flow charts. LabVIEW can deliver reports on automated tests to let you know whether a device or unit has passed or failed. You can run multiple tests to receive valuable test results directly in the user interface.

LabVIEW is an ideal solution for people that are new to programming. You can easily develop conclusions in the graphical user interface. Your projects are easy to comprehend since the presentations are presented in illustrative charts instead of linear code. Visual diagrams can mirror thought processes.

You can move info between functions in the interactive user interface. The code will be recompiled with each new action that you make. You can restructure coding errors that appear in real-time instead of at the end of projects since the code is automatically kept current. The graphical user interface lets you easily visualize parallelism in your code with charts.

LabVIEW is commonly used to control instruments to make accurate measurements. An extensive hardware integration suite is available for a variety of electronic devices: benchtop instruments, FPGA-based embedded computer hardware, PC-based data acquisition boards, software-defined radios, etc.

PID algorithms are already included in the software package. Analysis and signal processing algorithms let you learn about your experiments. A large library of compatible add-on algorithms is available to integrate into LabVIEW. 

What language is LabVIEW written in?

The platform exposes you to the graphical programming language called G. National Instruments created the programming language G to make coding easier, but you are not required to use this language. LabVIEW is also compatible with additional code languages like C and C++.

Is LabVIEW difficult?

LabVIEW is one of the easiest programming environments to use. The visual approach that the software takes is easier to understand than linear coding. You can quickly build simple projects or complex processes. However, data migration from LabVIEW into a database can be difficult.

The programs that LabVIEW uses are called Virtual Instruments. The VIs in LabVIEW contains a Front Panel, Block Diagram, and Connector/Icon Pane. The active VIs will be listed above the menu bar. The Front Panel is the user interface that gives you input and output. The inputs are known as controls whereas the outputs are called indicators.

You can change the numerical values to manipulate the outcome. Drag and drop controls and indicators let you easily build custom user interfaces. The Block Diagram uses graphical source code to let you write functions and structures that deliver outputs.

The Connector and Icon Pane are in the upper right corner of the graphical user interface. The Icon is the visual representation that includes the image and text of the VI. The Connector Pane connects the controls and indicators together to create a SubVI.

Our take

LabVIEW lets you automate tests to receive reliable results that you can organize. You can choose from an extensive catalog of algorithms including filters, mathematics, scripts and formats, signal processing, sound, and vibration, etc. LabVIEW includes Fast Fourier Transforms and limit testing. The software can collect measurements from tests that are run with compatible hardware devices and the results can be stored in files.

Should you download it?

Yes. LabVIEW is easy for teams to use since you do not need prior programming experience. Also, the software provides convenience due to its cross-platform compatibility, allowing the use of the software with peers who may use different technologies.