Differences between LabVIEW and LabVIEW NXG

Learn the differences between LabVIEW and LabVIEW NXG so that you can identify the areas in your application that are going to change during migration.

This insight is useful later when you prepare your code for conversion and resolve any behavioral changes and unsupported features in your new source files.

The following table lists terminology differences between LabVIEW and LabVIEW NXG.

LabVIEW LabVIEW NXG
Application Directory Get Component Directory
Unbundle By Name/Bundle By Name (Clusters) Cluster Properties
CTL (Strict Typedef) Type Definitions
Formula Node C Node
Global Variable Tag Nodes
LabVIEW Class Type Definitions
Local Variable Duplicate Terminal
Get Waveform Components Waveform Properties
VI Server Execution Control and Panel Manipulation
Note This table is not an exhaustive list of all terminology differences between LabVIEW and LabVIEW NXG.

The following table lists behaviors in LabVIEW NXG that differ from LabVIEW. In most cases, you need to modify your application or settings when migrating code that uses this functionality to apply and configure the appropriate replacement functionality.

LabVIEW LabVIEW NXG
Build Specification - Installer Package or Package Installer.
Call Library Function Node A Shared Library Interface. 32-bit DLLs are not supported in LabVIEW NXG and must be manually replaced with an equivalent 64-bit DLL.
CTL (Control Definition) N/A. The .ctl file does not convert.
CTL (Typedef) A type definition; generates a Message in the conversion report.
Creating Actors and Messages with Actor Framework Creating Actors, Messages, and Abstract Messages in LabVIEW NXG.
DataSocket API A placeholder VI and/or generic refnum constants or controls.
Express VIs A subVI, or a placeholder VI.
Flattening and Unflattening to Binary Use Flatten to Byte Array and Unflatten from Byte Array to convert.
Invoke Nodes LabVIEW NXG doesn't use invoke VIs. Invoke VIs are converted to the specific VI representation in LabVIEW NXG if the functionality exists.
MathScript Interface for MATLAB®
Merge Errors Retain First Error behaves similarly. Consider using Multiplex Errors for handling multiple errors on the same wire.
.NET Constructor Nodes and Invoke Nodes A .NET Interface document.
Packed Project Libraries G Loadable Libraries (.gll)
Polymorphic VIs An overload VI or a multi-mode element.
Sub-panels A generic refnum, generates a Message in the conversion report. Replace with the Panel Container.
String Encoding UTF-8
Tree Control LabVIEW NXG Tree Control.
VI Package Manager Use NI Package Manager for distributing and updating both source code and deployed applications.
XControls A generic refnum; generates a Message in the conversion report.
Note This table is not an exhaustive list of all behavioral differences between LabVIEW and LabVIEW NXG for which you may need to modify your application or settings when migrating code.

The following table lists common keyboard shortcuts that differ between LabVIEW and LabVIEW NXG.

Command LabVIEW LabVIEW NXG
Create branch from wire Click near a wire Hold Ctrl to change to the wiring cursor while hovering over a wire (Default preference setting, which you can change.)
Create constants for all unwired inputs Ctrl+space then Ctrl+Shift+D Ctrl + M
Create constants for required unwired inputs N/A Ctrl + Shift + M
Go through case/event structures on diagram Ctrl+Scroll Wheel Ctrl+Shift+Scroll Wheel
Insert on wire Ctrl+Space then Ctrl+I Right-click on wire and select or search for new VI. Error wires automatically connected if applicable.
Pan on canvas Ctrl+Shift+Drag Space+Drag
Remove wire and rewire Ctrl+Space then Ctrl+R Ctrl+Del
Replace object Ctrl+Space then Ctrl+P Right-click on VI and select or search for new VI.
Show Panel and Diagram in separate windows Default Right-click on Panel/Diagram switcher or document tab and select "Float in new window".
Show/hide panes Ctrl+\ Ctrl+t
Wire objects Ctrl+Space then Ctrl+W Ctrl+J
Note This table is not an exhaustive list of keyboard shortcuts that differ between LabVIEW and LabVIEW NXG.