National Instruments Window User manual

CVI ™ , National Instruments ™ , NI_DAQ ™ , NI-VISA ™ , the National Instruments logo, and The Software is the Instrument ™ are trademarks of National
Instruments Corporation. Product and company names are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
320689E-01 © Copyright 1994, 1998 National Instruments Corp. All rights reserved. February 1998
RELEASE NOTES
LABWINDOWS/CVI VERSION 5.0
RELEASE NOTES FOR WINDOWS
Contents
Introduction to LabWindows/CVI...................................................................................4
LabWindows/CVI Installation for Windows...................................................................4
Minimum System Requirements for Windows 95/NT......................................4
Minimum System Requirements for Windows 3.1...........................................4
Installing LabWindows/CVI on a Computer.....................................................5
Installing the Run-Time Engine on a Computer................................................5
Installing the VISA Library...............................................................................6
Installing the IVI Engine ...................................................................................6
What’s New and Different in LabWindows/CVI 5.0......................................................6
New Features.....................................................................................................6
Changes to System Requirements.....................................................................7
Toolslib Instrument Drivers ..............................................................................7
Multithreading Limitations on Toolslib Instruments..........................7
New Sample Programs......................................................................................7
Changes to the LabWindows/CVI Development Environment.......................................9
Debugging DLLs in Windows 95/NT...............................................................9
DLL Debugging Menu Item (Windows 95/NT Only) ......................................9
Select External Process......................................................................................10
Automatic Generation of Object Files...............................................................10
Create Dynamic Link Library Dialog Box........................................................11
Breakpoints/Tags in Non-Project Files Are Saved in Project...........................11
New Control in Watch Expression Dialog Box ................................................11
Activate Panels When Resuming: Clarification................................................11
New Print Dialog Box.......................................................................................12
New Options for Source File Printing...............................................................12
Edit Menu..........................................................................................................12
Code Menu ........................................................................................................12
New Tools Menu...............................................................................................12
Create ActiveX Automation Controller (Windows 95/NT only)........13
Update ActiveX Automation Controller (Windows 95/NT only) ......13
Create IVI (Intelligent Virtual Instruments) Instrument Driver..........13

LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows 2 © National Instruments Corporation
Edit Instrument Attributes .................................................................. 13
Edit Function Tree..............................................................................14
Edit Function Panel ............................................................................ 14
Generate Source for Instrument Driver Functions..............................14
Go To Definition ................................................................................ 14
Go To Declaration .............................................................................. 14
Enable Auto Replace .......................................................................... 14
Generate IVI C++ Wrapper................................................................15
Context Menus.................................................................................... 15
User-Defined Entries in Tools Menu................................................................15
Tools Menu Options.......................................................................................... 15
New Configuration Option................................................................................15
Mouse Wheel Support....................................................................................... 16
Changes to the User Interface Library.............................................................................16
Change to Default Value of SetSleepPolicy .....................................................16
Clarifications and Corrections ..........................................................................17
Direct Windows Printing .................................................................................. 17
Revised Print Dialog Boxes on Windows.........................................................18
Interaction between Print Dialog Boxes and Programmatic Attributes............18
Using Windows System Printer Settings..........................................................19
Obsolete Value for X and Y Resolution ...........................................................20
Warning of Modified Behavior.........................................................................20
Revised Constant Names ..................................................................................20
Application of Attributes to Text Printing........................................................ 21
New Print Attributes .........................................................................................21
New Panel Attributes........................................................................................22
New Control Attributes.....................................................................................22
New System Attribute.......................................................................................22
Resolution Adjustment ....................................................................... 23
User Interface Editor Changes.......................................................................... 23
Changes to Existing Functions.......................................................................... 24
Details on Loading Panels and Menubars from .tui Files.................................24
Warning of Change to Text Format (.tui) Files ................................................25
New Functions .................................................................................................. 25
New Error Codes............................................................................................... 26
Using the User Interface Library in a Multithreaded Executable
under Windows 95/NT................................................................................... 26
Mouse Wheel Support....................................................................................... 26
Changes to the Programmer Reference Manual..............................................................26
Stack Size.......................................................................................................... 26
Details of User Protection.................................................................................27
Linking Objects and Static Libraries in External Compilers............................27
Use of DllMain: Clarification ........................................................................... 27
Releasing Resources when a DLL Unloads: Clarification................................ 27
Use of Run State Change Callbacks: Clarification...........................................28

© National Instruments Corporation 3 LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows
Changes to the ANSI C Library.......................................................................................28
Time and Date Functions...................................................................................28
Time Zone Bugs Fixed on Windows 95/NT.......................................28
Modifying the DST Rules String: Clarification..................................29
Changes to the RS-232 Library .......................................................................................29
More COM Ports Allowed ................................................................................29
New Error Code.................................................................................................29
Unknown System Error on Windows 95/NT ....................................................29
Input Queue Size: Clarification.........................................................................29
Multithreading and RS-232 Error Information..................................................29
Multithreading Limitations.................................................................30
Changes to the DDE Library ...........................................................................................30
Corrections ........................................................................................................30
Obsolete Error Codes ........................................................................................30
New Error Codes...............................................................................................31
Multithreading...................................................................................................31
Changes to the TCP Library ............................................................................................31
Multithreading...................................................................................................31
New TCP Library Functions .............................................................................31
Changes to Existing TCP Library Functions.....................................................32
Changes to the Utility Library .........................................................................................32
Multithreading...................................................................................................32
Corrections and Clarifications to the Documentation.......................................32
New Utility Library Functions ..........................................................................33
Changes and Clarifications to Existing Utility Library Functions....................33
Changes to the Easy I/O for DAQ Library ......................................................................34
New ActiveX Automation Library..................................................................................34
Active X Automation Library Function Overview ...........................................34
Using ActiveX Automation Object Handles from Multiple Threads
on Windows 95...............................................................................................35
Additions to the ActiveX Automation Library Function Reference.................35
New IVI Library ..............................................................................................................36
New Advanced Analysis Library Functions....................................................................36
Function Tree Layout for New Functions.........................................................37
General Information.........................................................................................................38
Using LabWindows/CVI Utility Library in the Borland Compiler...................38
Using NetDDE on Windows.............................................................................38
Special Instructions to LabWindows/CVI 5.0 Beta Testers..............................38
No Support for Multiple Monitor Systems........................................................38
Dynamically Loading DLL Created in Third-Party Compiler
Might Lose Handles........................................................................................38

LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows 4 © National Instruments Corporation
Introduction to LabWindows/CVI
These release notes contain installation instructions, system requirements, new features, and
updated information to help you begin using LabWindows/CVI, version 5.0.
LabWindows/CVI Installation for Windows
Before working on your data acquisition and instrument control applications, you must install
LabWindows/CVI on your computer. The LabWindows/CVI setup program does this for you
in a process that lasts approximately 10 minutes.
Minimum System Requirements for Windows 95/NT
To run LabWindows/CVI for Windows 95/NT, you must have the following:
• Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT operating system, version 4.0 or higher
• Personal computer using at least a 33 MHz 486 or higher microprocessor
• VGA resolution (or higher) video adapter
• Minimum of 16 MB of memory
• 50 MB free hard disk space
• Microsoft-compatible mouse
Note The dialog box the Edit Instrument Attributes command displays requires an
800-by-600 video adapter resolution.
Minimum System Requirements for Windows 3.1
To run LabWindows/CVI for Windows 3.1, you must have the following:
• MS-DOS, version 3.1 or higher
• Windows operating system, version 3.1 or higher
• Personal computer using at least a 33 MHz 386 or higher microprocessor
• VGA resolution (or higher) video adapter
• Math coprocessor or one of the following coprocessor emulation programs:
– WEMM387.386 from Watcom
– Q387 from Quickware
• Minimum of 8 MB of memory
• 30 MB free hard disk space
• Microsoft-compatible mouse
Note The dialog box the Edit Instrument Attributes command displays requires an
800-by-600 video adapter resolution.

© National Instruments Corporation 5 LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows
Installing LabWindows/CVI on a Computer
1. Make sure that your computer and monitor are on and that Windows is installed.
2. If installing from diskette, makeback-up copies of your LabWindows/CVI diskettes and
store the originals in a safe place.
3. Close all open Windows applications and leave the operating system in Windows.
4. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive or insert Disk 1 into drive A or drive B
and close the drive door, if necessary.
5. For Windows 95 or Windows NT version 4.0 or higher, choose the Run option from the
desktop taskbar. For Windows 3.1, choose Run from the File menu in the Program
Manager.
6. Type
x :setup (where x is the drive you are using) in the command line box and click
on OK.
7. Follow the instructions that appear in the dialog boxes.
Note When you install LabWindows/CVI for Windows 95/NT, you must choose your
compatible compiler. If sometime later you want to change your choice, run the
installation program again and select the option that allows you to choose a new
compatible compiler. This method is much faster than changing your compiler
choice by reinstalling LabWindows/CVI.
Note You must choose the Custom Installation option to install the complete
Windows SDK from the CD-ROM version of the LabWindows/CVI FDS (Full
Development System). Some Windows SDK header and import library files are
installed with the disk version and the CD-ROM version for the LabWindows/CVI
Base Package. The Windows SDK help file is available only with the CD-ROM
version of the LabWindows/CVI FDS.
National Instruments suggests you install the complete LabWindows/CVI program to take
full advantage of all the LabWindows/CVI capabilities. If you choose to install with options,
select the options you want and follow the directions on the screen. You can run the setup
program again and install additional files, if necessary.
Refer to the readme.cvi file for installation instructions, programming considerations, and
changes that are too recent to be included in the printed LabWindows/CVI documentation.
Installing the Run-Time Engine on a Computer
The Run-time Engine is installed during the LabWindows/CVI installation.
LabWindows/CVI includes a separate Run-time Engine distribution disk, or a directory on
the CD-ROM, that has its own installation program so you can make copies for distribution
as your license agreement permits.
To install the Run-time Engine from the Run-time Engine distribution disk, follow the
directions in the Installing LabWindows/CVI on a Computer section earlier in this document.
Refer to Chapter 7, Creating and Distributing Standalone Executables and DLLs, of the

LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows 6 © National Instruments Corporation
LabWindows/CVI Programmer Reference Manual for a description of the LabWindows/CVI
Run-time Engine.
Note The LabWindows/CVI 5.0 Run-time Engine for Windows 95/NT overwrites
previous versions of the Run-time Engine. Thus, LabWindows/CVI 4.x-generated
executables and DLLs use the new LabWindows/CVI 5.0 Run-time Engine. In
addition, the LabWindows/CVI 4.xCreate Distribution Kit feature includes the
LabWindows/CVI 5.0 Run-time Engine instead of the LabWindows/CVI 4.x
Run-time Engine in generated distribution kits.
Installing the VISA Library
You need the VISA Library to use the new instrument driver standard the VXIplug&play
Systems Alliance accepts. VISA stands for Virtual Instrument Software Architecture.
NI-VISA is installed as part of the LabWindows/CVI disk and CD-ROM installations for
Windows 95/NT. NI-VISA must be installed separately for LabWindows/CVI for
Windows 3.x.
Installing the IVI Engine
You need the IVI Engine to use IVI (Intelligent Virtual Instruments) drivers on a system. The
IVI Engine is installed as part of LabWindows/CVI for Windows 95/NT and Windows 3.x.
LabWindows/CVI for Windows 95/NT includes a separate set of IVI Engine distribution
disks or a directory on the CD-ROM that has its own installation program so you can make
copies for distribution with your application. On Windows 3.x, the IVI Engine is a static
library that is linked into your application.
What’s New and Different in LabWindows/CVI 5.0
This section includes information about changes and enhancements in LabWindows/CVI 5.0
that have been made since LabWindows/CVI 4.0.1.
New Features
• IVI (Intelligent Virtual Instruments) driver wizard and support library
• ActiveX Automation Server instrument driver wizard and support library
• DLL debugging in the LabWindows/CVI development environment
• Multithread-safe libraries on Windows 95/NT; refer to the discussion of each library for
any restrictions
• Direct printing replaces bitmap printing on all Windows platforms
• Ability to scale panels and contents to different screen resolutions and when you resize
the panels
• New Advanced Analysis functions for Vector & Matrix Algebra

© National Instruments Corporation 7 LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows
Changes to System Requirements
If you want to run LabWindows/CVI 5.0 on Windows NT, you must have Windows NT 4.0
or higher. LabWindows/CVI 5.0 does not run on Windows NT 3.51.
Note Version 5.0 is the final release of LabWindows/CVI for Windows 3.1.
Toolslib Instrument Drivers
Table 1 lists new instrument drivers.
Multithreading Limitations on Toolslib Instruments
The following instruments under the \toolslib\ subdirectory are not multithread safe:
•custctrl\animate.fp
•custctrl\daqchart.fp
•custctrl\easytab.fp
•custctrl\movectrl.fp
•custctrl\pwctrl.fp
•custctrl\scroll.fp
•custctrl\toolbar.fp
•toolbox\regexpr.fp
•toolbox\toolbox.fp
New Sample Programs
Table 2 lists new samples.
Table 1. New Toolslib Instrument Drivers
Filename Description
toolslib\
custctrl\cviogl.fp 3D OpenGL plotting control
toolbox\asynctmr.fp Asynchronous timer control
Table 2. New Sample Projects
Filename Description
samples\activex\
cvi\cvidemo.prj ActiveX Automation of LabWindows/CVI 5.0
to build and run projects
excel\exceldem.prj ActiveX Automation of Microsoft Excel 97

LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows 8 © National Instruments Corporation
hiq\report.prj ActiveXAutomationof HiQ3.1/4.0to generate
a report
hiq\xferdta.prj ActiveX Automation of HiQ 3.1/4.0 to
transfer data
ie\iedemo.prj ActiveX Automation of Microsoft Internet
Explorer 4.0
labview\lvdemo.prj ActiveX Automation of LabVIEW 5.0
to run VIs
word\worddemo.prj ActiveX Automation of Microsoft Word 97
samples\analysis\
2dfft.prj Demonstrates using FFT to do a 2D FFT
nlinfit.prj NonLinearFit using the
Levenberg-Marquardt method
parsevls.prj Demonstrates Parseval’s theorem
polyfit1.prj Demonstrates data conditioning for PolyFit
transmit.prj Simulates a transmission and receiver system
thd.prj Total Harmonic Distortion
stat.prj Simple statistics example
stability.prj Evaluates the stability of the system
samples\custctrl\cviogl
ogldemo.prj 3D graph plotting using CVIOGL
instrument driver
ogldraw.prj Uses CVIOGL instrument driver for OpenGL
rendering
simple.prj 3D graph plotting using CVIOGL
instrument driver
samples\dlldebug
scope.prj and usescope.prj Demonstrates creating and debugging a DLL
samples\toolbox
asyncdem.prj Asynchronous timer example
Table 2. New Sample Projects (Continued)
Filename Description

© National Instruments Corporation 9 LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows
Changes to the LabWindows/CVI Development
Environment
This section contains information on several enhancements to the LabWindows/CVI
development environment.
Debugging DLLs in Windows 95/NT
You can now debug DLLs in the LabWindows/CVI development environment. Refer to the
DLL Debugging (Windows 95/NT Only) section in Chapter 3, Project Window, of the
LabWindows/CVI User Manual for more information on different ways to debug DLLs,
location of files required for debugging DLLs, and what restrictions apply.
DLL Debugging Menu Item (Windows 95/NT Only)
This command applies only when you set the Target item in the Build menu to
Dynamic Link Library. If the DLL Debugging command is enabled when you create a
DLL, LabWindows/CVI includes debuggable code in your DLL and generates an extra file
that contains a symbol table and source position information necessary for debugging. The
extra file has the same pathname as the DLL except that its extension is .cdd.
samples\sdk\
stdio\demo.prj Uses SDK to change Standard Input/Output
window appearance
taskbar\taskbar.prj Creates icon on system taskbar
printlst\printlst.prj Queries system for available printers
glaux\glauxdem.prj Demonstrates using OpenGL Glaux library
for 3D rendering
samples\sdk\threads\
multipnl\multipnl.prj Demonstrates using UIR panels in
multiple threads
onepanel\onepanel.prj Demonstrates using non-UIR threads
samples\userint\
scaling.prj Demonstrates UIR panel scaling
Table 2. New Sample Projects (Continued)
Filename Description

LabWindows/CVI Release Notes for Windows 10 © National Instruments Corporation
In the LabWindows/CVI development environment, you can debug only DLLs you create in
LabWindows/CVI with the DLL Debugging command enabled. Other development
environments cannot debug DLLs you create in LabWindows/CVI.
When you debug a DLL in LabWindows/CVI, you can use all the standard debugging
features, but the run-time checking features are not available. Thus, you can use
single-stepping, conditional breakpoints, watch expressions, and the Variables window, but
there is no interactive reporting of library errors and no protection against overwriting arrays
or misuse of pointers. When you create a DLL with the DLL Debugging command disabled,
LabWindows/CVI forces the debugging level to None. When you create a DLL with the
DLL Debugging command enabled, LabWindows/CVI forces the debugging level to
No Run-Time checking.Youcanaccess the debugginglevelfromtheRun Options command
in the Options menu of the Project window.
Select External Process
This command applies only when you set the Target item in the Run menu to
Dynamic Link Library. The Select External Process command allows you to specify a
standalone executable that uses your DLL. When you execute the command, a dialog box
appears in which you enter the pathname and command line arguments to an external
program. The Run Project item in the Run menu then changes to Run xxx.exe, where
xxx .exe is the filename of the external program. When you execute the Run xxx.exe
command, LabWindows/CVI starts the external process and attaches to it for debugging. If
you have set any breakpoints in the source files for the DLL, LabWindows/CVI honors them.
LabWindows/CVI stores external program pathname and command line arguments in
the project.
Automatic Generation of Object Files
The new Oicon in the Project window applies only to source (.c) files and indicates that you
enabled the Compile into Object option. If this option is enabled when you compile the source
file, LabWindows/CVI creates an object (.obj or .o) file on disk that contains
non-debuggable code rather than generating debuggable code in memory. Double click on
this icon to toggle the option.
When you open a project, LabWindows/CVI marks each source file with the Oicon for
compilation only if one of the following conditions applies:
• The object file does not exist on disk.
• The source file or any of the include files on which it depends has a date later than the
date of the object file.
As you work, LabWindows/CVI marks source files for recompilation whenever they or any
of their include files are modified, regardless of the state of the Oicon. When you select the
Build Project or Run Project command, LabWindows/CVI compiles all source files marked
for recompilation. For source files with the Oicon, LabWindows/CVI also generates the
corresponding object files.