National Instruments PC-DIO-96 - Manual (Page 15)

Introduction Chapter 1
PC-DIO-24 User Manual 1-2 © National Instruments Corporation
What You Need to Get Started
To set up and use your PC-DIO-96, you will need the following:
PC-DIO-96 board
PC-DIO-96 User Manual
One of the following software packages and documentation:
NI-DAQ for PC compatibles
LabVIEW for Windows
LabWindows/CVI for Windows
Your computer
Software Programming Choices
There are several options to choose from when programming your National Instruments DAQ
and SCXI hardware. You can use LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or NI-DAQ. A 4.6.1 or earlier
version of NI-DAQ supports LabWindows for DOS.
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI Application Software
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI are innovative program development software packages for
data acquisition and control applications. LabVIEW uses graphical programming, whereas
LabWindows/CVI enhances traditional programming languages. Both packages include
extensive libraries for data acquisition, instrument control, data analysis, and graphical data
presentation.
LabVIEW features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and a powerful graphical
programming language. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Library, a series of VIs for using
LabVIEW with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is included with LabVIEW. The LabVIEW
Data Acquisition VI Libraries are functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and uses the
ANSI standard C programming language. The LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition Library, a
series of functions for using LabWindows/CVI with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is
included with the NI-DAQ software kit. The LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition libraries are
functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
Using LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI software will greatly reduce the development time for
your data acquisition and control application.