NI-DAQ 8.x Overview

NI-DAQmx

previous page next page

NI-DAQ 8.x Overview

National Instruments measurement devices are packaged with NI-DAQ driver software, an extensive library of functions and VIs you can call from your application software, such as LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI, to program your NI measurement devices. Measurement devices include DAQ devices such as the M Series multifunction I/O (MIO) devices, signal conditioning modules, and switch modules. Driver software has an application programming interface (API), which is a library of VIs, functions, classes, attributes, and properties for creating applications for your device.

NI-DAQ 8.x comes with the latest version of the software driver, which is called NI-DAQmx. NI-DAQmx replaces Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy). NI-DAQmx and Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) have their own APIs, hardware configurations, and software configurations. NI-DAQmx CDs also include LabVIEW SignalExpress LE, an easy-to-use configuration-based tool specifically designed for data logging applications.

NI-DAQmx

NI-DAQmx has the following advantages over Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy):

  • DAQ Assistant—a graphical way to configure virtual channels and measurement tasks for your device, and to generate NI-DAQmx code based on your virtual channels and tasks, for use in LabVIEW, LabVIEW SignalExpress, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio.
  • Increased performance, including faster single-point analog I/O and multithreading.
  • NI-DAQmx simulated devices for testing and modifying applications without plugging in hardware.
  • Simpler, more intuitive APIs for creating DAQ applications using fewer functions and VIs than earlier versions of NI-DAQ.
  • Expanded functionality for LabVIEW, including property nodes and waveform data type support.
  • Similar APIs and functionality for ANSI C, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio, including native .NET and C++ interfaces.
  • Improved support and performance for the LabVIEW Real-Time Module.

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy)

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) is an upgrade of the earlier version of NI-DAQ. Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) has the same VIs and functions and works the same way as NI-DAQ 6.9.3, except you can use Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and NI-DAQmx on the same computer, and some hardware is no longer supported.

Who Can Use NI-DAQmx

You should install and use NI-DAQmx if the following situations apply:

  • You are a new NI-DAQ user.
  • You are using devices supported by NI-DAQmx; refer to the NI-DAQ Readme for a list of supported devices.
  • You are using Windows Vista/2000/NT/XP.

If you are using NI application software with NI-DAQmx, you must use LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or Measurement Studio version 7.x or later, LabVIEW SignalExpress 2.x or later (including SignalExpress LE), or the LabVIEW Real-Time Module 7.1 or later.

If you use one of the Microsoft .NET languages, Visual C# and/or Visual Basic .NET, or a device supported only by NI-DAQmx, such as an M Series device, you must use NI-DAQmx.

You also can use NI-DAQmx with a supported compiler, such as an ANSI C compiler.

Who Must Use Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy)

Install and use Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) if one of the following situations apply:

  • You have a device that is not supported by NI-DAQmx, such as the AT E Series multifunction DAQ devices.
  • You are using a version of LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or Measurement Studio earlier than version 7.0.
  • You are upgrading from NI-DAQ 6.9.x and have existing applications that you do not want to port to NI-DAQmx now.
Note  The earliest version of NI application software supported by Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) is version 6.0. LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or Measurement Studio versions 6.x can use Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) from the NI-DAQ 8.x distribution.
previous page start next page