Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

LabWindows CVI is a system for building Windows based Virtual instrumentation with ANSI C. It allows users to build applications that can be used to build flexible measurement instrumentation, and interfaces to instrument control devices. This text provides a guide for beginners.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• 1 Getting Started
• What is CVI? Where is CVI used? Starting CVI
• The First CVI Project
• Summary
• 2 Basics of Creating the Graphical User Interface
• User Interface Overview
• CVI Programming Model
• Creating the First CVI Project
• Analyzing the Code
• Builder-Generated Code
• Overview of How to Develop a CVI Application
• Creating the Second CVI Project
• Callback Function and Generated Events
• Summary
• 3 More Graphical User Interface
• Using Timer Controls
• The Anatomy of the Panel
• Learning the Tool Bar
• Creating and Using the Strip Charts
• Project Window Icons
• Observations
• Summary
• 4 Enhancing the User Interface
• Project Overview
• Starting the Project
• Creating and Using the Menu Bar
• Generating the Source Code
• Creating and Using Tool Bars
• Adding a Text Box to the Project
• Creating the Tab Order
• Summary
• 5 Source Editor and Debugging Techniques
• Source Editor Environment Overview
• Exploring the Source Editor
• Source Editor Tool Bar
• Working with Function Panels
• Interactive Execution Window
• Building Your Project
• Manipulating the Code
• Setting Line Numbers and Selecting Text
• Using the Code Selection Modes
• Balancing Parentheses
• Setting and Clearing Tags
• Finding User Interface Objects (Controls)
• Inserting C Constructs in Code
• Comparing Source Files
• Find, Search, and Replace Commands
• Using the Debugger
• Using Breakpoints
• Exclude/Include Lines
• Working with Variables, Arrays, and Strings
• Watch Window
• Memory Display Window
• Summary
• 6 File Input/Output
• What is File I/O? Using Files
• Overview of the Project
• Creating the User Interface
• Generating the Code
• Pop-Up Panels
• Confirm Pop-Up Panel
• Message Pop-Up Panel
• Generic Message Pop-Up Panel
• Prompt Pop-Up Panel
• File Select Pop-Up Panel
• Install Pop-Up Function
• Remove Pop-Up Function
• Multi-File Select Pop-Up Panel
• Directory Selection Pop-Up Panel
• Graph Pop-Up Panels
• Adding Code to the Project
• Main Function
• StartTestCB Function
• WriteToFile Function
• CheckFileName Function
• Timer_2SecCB Function
• Timer_1SecCB Function
• StopTestCB Function
• ClearTextBoxCB Function
• ReadFileCB Function
• RunExcelCB Function
• ExplorerCB Function
• ExitPanelCB Function
• Summary
• 7 List Boxes & Rings
• Introduction
• List Box Example
• List Box Example
• Using Ring Controls
• Designing the Test Executive Project
• Project7 Code Generation and Analysis
• Main Function
• LoadTestNamesCB Function
• SelectTestsCB Function
• RemoveTestCB Function
• SaveSeqCB Function
• LoadSeqCB Function
• ResetSeqCB Function
• CopyTestCB Function
• GoToTestExecCB Function
• SelectTimesToRunCB Function
• RunSequenceCB Function
• ExitCB Function
• ClearListBoxCB Function
• ReturnCB Function
• CheckFileName Function
• ExplorerCB Function
• Summary
• 8 Creating Stand-Alone Executables and Distribution Disks
• Creating Stand-Alone Executables and Distribution Disks Overview
• Creating Stand-Alone Executables
• Creating Distribution Disks
• Install DataSocket Support
• Install NI Reports Support
• Error Handling for Stand-Alone Executables
• Summary
• 9 Creating and Using Dynamic Link Libraries
• Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) Overview
• Creating Dynamic Link Libraries
• Creating DLLs without a User Interface
• Using the DLL
• Creating DLLs with the User Interface
• Using the GUI DLL
• Summary
• 10 External Compiler Support
• External Compiler Support
• Creating an Object File for Use in an External Compiler
• Creating DLL Containing Callback Functions
• Summary
• 11 GPIB Communications
• GPIB Communication Introduction and History
• GPIB Communication
• Getting Started with GPIB
• GPIB Communication Using the NI-488 Routines
• Win32 Interactive Control Utility
• NI Spy Utility
• Using the IEEE 488.2 Standards

Author notes provided by Syndetics

SHAHID F. KHALID has over 30 years of experience in software engineering. He is presently a software engineer at Boeing, Canoga Park, California, where he works on testing the embedded software for the rocket engine control unit on the Delta IV program. The testing of the rocket engine controller is performed using LabWindows/CVI communicating via the RS-232 serial port and the GPIB interface to control various instruments that command the engine and acquire the data. He has also created LabWindows/CVI applications for laser beam alignment, test equipment diagnostics software for VXI platforms, and database applications and has worked on other company proprietary projects.

Shahid has worked as a software contractor in aerospace and defense with companies like GTE Government Systems and Loral Electro-Optical Systems. He has worked at Logicon Incorporated, and at Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena, California. He has been a Unit Head of a software development team at Singer-Kearfott in New Jersey, where he was involved with the development of inertial navigation guidance test software for the US Navy Mark VI program. He has worked as an analog circuit design engineer and computer programmer at various companies in Kansas, Tennessee, and New Jersey.

Shahid has a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics as well as a Master's degree in Mathematics from Panjab University in Pakistan. He also has a Master's Degree in Electronic Engineering from Kansas University and a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Stevens Institute of Technology (New Jersey).

He is married and has two daughters and a son. After living in Kansas, Tennessee, and New Jersey, he now enjoys his home in Agoura Hills, California. His hobbies include photography, traveling, swimming, reading self-study books on computers and programming languages, and playing with the computer.