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High-Level, Application-Specific Development Tools and Libraries

National Instruments LabVIEW users typically develop programs with a patented dataflow programming model that provides an intuitive interface to build design, control, and test applications. However, NI LabVIEW has evolved over the last 20 years to offer additional application-appropriate development tools that supplement this core dataflow language to speed code generation and help you better visualize your system. Each of these tools, or programming models, seamlessly integrates into the core LabVIEW programming environment to provide best-in-class solutions for addressing specific types of applications such as event-driven programming; state diagram development; and dynamic, continuous time systems.

Event-Driven Programming

You can use the native LabVIEW structure to combine dataflow programming with event-driven execution, which is ideal for creating professional, maintainable user interfaces and more.

Application Note: Changing the Face of Design Patterns with LabVIEW 7 Express Event Structure

State Diagram Development

The LabVIEW State Diagram Toolkit provides a graphical interface for drawing state diagrams in their natural forms. You can create a system-defining state diagram directly in LabVIEW and then click a button to automatically generate the corresponding dataflow code.

Application Note: Application Design Patterns - State Machines

Dynamic, Continuous Time Systems

Also, with the LabVIEW Simulation Module, you can use conventional notation to design, simulate, and implement control systems natively.

Manual: LabVIEW Simulation Module Manual

In addition to these application-specific tools that streamline development, LabVIEW also has horizontal technology extensions that expand the core graphical language, including Express technology, text-based mathematical algorithms, legacy code integration, and real-time programming extensions.

Express Technology - LabVIEW Express VIs and LabVIEW SignalExpress

Express technology delivers a completely configuration-based development model. With National Instruments LabVIEW SignalExpress, you can perform measurement and analysis tasks without any programming. To develop custom user interfaces and reports and take advantage of the more than 500 built-in signal analysis functions with LabVIEW, you can automatically generate LabVIEW graphical code from your LabVIEW SignalExpress projects.

Text-Based Mathematical Algorithms

Integrated script nodes allow you to combine text-based programming for math and signal processing with traditional LabVIEW graphical programming. Script node alternatives such as the MathScript node allow you to invoke your text-based scripts from The MathWorks, Inc. MATLAB® software, NI MATRIXx, and others within the NI LabVIEW environment.

Legacy Code Integration

The open LabVIEW language easily integrates external code through the Call Library Node, preserving your investment in existing code. Additionally, you can take advantage of C code through the Code Interface Node.

Real-Time Programming Extensions to Core Graphical Language

To add the maximum in reliability and determinism, the LabVIEW Real-Time Module provides the same intuitive dataflow programming experience, but extends it to development for real-time systems. Native structures such as the timed loop make defining real-time application behavior simple through configuration-based dialogs and dataflow programming.

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