LabVIEW

LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench) is a system-design platform and development environment for a visual programming language from National Instruments. It is commonly used for data acquisition, instrument control, and industrial automation across a variety of operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

LabVIEW differs significantly from text-based programming languages in that it uses a graphical programming notation to create source code. This graphical language is referred to as "G." In LabVIEW, users create "virtual instruments" (VIs) by dragging and connecting graphical objects on a block diagram, which then specifies the program's logic.

The core of LabVIEW programming revolves around front panels and block diagrams. The front panel serves as the user interface, providing controls for input and indicators for output. The block diagram is where the actual program logic resides, with graphical representations of functions, structures (like loops and case statements), and data flow paths connecting various elements.

Data flows between functional nodes via wires. The flow of data determines the order of execution, a concept known as dataflow programming. A node executes only when it has received all required inputs.

LabVIEW boasts a large library of functions and tools specifically designed for instrument control and data acquisition. It supports a wide range of hardware interfaces, including GPIB, serial, and Ethernet. Furthermore, it can integrate with various software technologies, allowing for the creation of complex, hybrid systems.

While primarily known for its use in scientific and engineering applications, LabVIEW is also employed in fields such as education, manufacturing, and aerospace. Its graphical programming paradigm can be particularly beneficial for those who are not traditional programmers but need to automate tasks or control instruments.