Profiles of Typical LabWindows/CVI Customers

The National Instruments LabWindows/CVI (C for Virtual Instrumentation)
application software was designed for C programmers developing
instrumentation systems for Windows PCs and Sun workstations. Within this
focused group, there are several classes of developers who would be
particularly interested in LabWindows/CVI - end-users programming in C;
existing DOS-based users of LabWindows; systems integrators; suppliers of
test and measurement systems, ATE systems, and process control systems;
and government contractors. A description of why each of these types of
users would be interested in LabWindows/CVI follows.

End-Users Programming in C 

Over the last five years, National Instruments has met a large segment of
end-user market needs with the LabWindows for DOS and LabVIEW products.
However, a growing number of scientists and engineers who are becoming
more and more proficient in C programming are outgrowing the capabilities
of the LabWindows software for DOS, and do not consider graphical
programming a viable option. This group of end-users is left to build
their instrumentation specific applications with general-purpose C
programming tools, or cope with the limitations of many existing
instrumentation-specific packages. LabWindows/CVI is the first full C
development package that is geared specifically for the instrumentation
market. The group of end-users who are C programmers will find that
LabWindows/CVI is a flexible tool that helps them get the job done quickly
and easily without imposing programming limitations.

Existing DOS users of LabWindows 

With LabWindows/CVI, existing DOS users of LabWindows have a smooth
migration path to Windows and Solaris. The LabWindows/CVI development
environment will be compatible with all existing C programs developed
using the LabWindows software for DOS, with only minor changes required to
make the programs functional. Translation utilities are included with
LabWindows/CVI to automatically convert an existing LabWindows for DOS
user interface file into a Windows or UNIX-based graphical user interface
(GUI), mapping the DOS controls to comparable LabWindows/CVI controls.
Utilities are also available to convert existing instrument drivers or
source code files into LabWindows/CVI-compatible code automatically. Users
can load translated source code into the LabWindows/CVI environment as is,
and run it with only minor modifications outlined in LabWindows/CVI
product documentation. For example, because LabWindows/CVI is a 32-bit
system, variables defined as 'int' are represented as 32-bit integers
rather than 16-bit integers as in the DOS-based LabWindows. If users want
to maintain 16-bit 'int' variables, they will need to change the
declaration to 'short'. These types of translation issues are outlined in
LabWindows/CVI documentation.

System Integrators 

Because the C programming language is a standard designed for modularity
and integration, system integrators will prefer the power and flexibility
offered by LabWindows/CVI. Because the LabWindows/CVI development
environment complies with the full ANSI C language specification,
developers will not encounter the common pitfalls of many proprietary
language solutions, such as a general lack of flexibility and inability to
integrate external components into their applications. ANSI C is an
established language standard. In addition, LabWindows/CVI has built-in
capabilities for integrating object modules and Windows dynamic link
libraries (DLLs) into an application.

LabWindows/CVI will have dynamic data exchange (DDE) for Windows and TCP/IP
capabilities, providing communication links with other applications or
networks.

Suppliers of Test and Measurement Systems, ATE Systems, and Process Control
Systems 

For many of the same reasons outlined above, companies looking for a
methodology on which to standardize their test systems will find
LabWindows/CVI appealing. The test and measurement and ATE market has
recently shown a history of accepting and embracing standard programming
languages for developing test systems. The integration capabilities of
LabWindows/CVI combined with its substantial Instrument Driver Library
makes it an attractive product to the test market.

Many companies are looking for an off-the-shelf programming solution to
bundle with their dedicated test systems. LabWindows/CVI is an obvious
choice, because it is based on a standard language and has a high degree
of integration. In addition, system suppliers can customize the
LabWindows/CVI environment with their own menus and custom utilities,
providing a focused solution for their end-users.

Government Contractors 

Many government or defense contracts involve years of source code
development from hundreds of different programmers. For these large-scale
advanced software projects, source code control and maintenance are
critical to the success of the development effort. Because LabWindows/CVI
is a standard language development tool, these types of development
projects can benefit from the modularity, flexibility, and maintainability
of ANSI C source code.

Availability and How to Get More Information 

The Windows version of LabWindows/CVI will be available from National
Instruments in November. LabWindows/CVI for Sun will be available from
National Instruments in December. For additional details, see the press
release and other product background information in this press kit.

For more information, please contact National Instruments at 6504 Bridge
Point Parkway, Austin, TX 78730-5039, (512) 794-0100. Call toll free at
(800) 433-3488. Fax: (512) 794-8411.

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