I use LabVIEW because it has significant advantages over conventional languages and other control and data acquisition packages.
■ My productivity is simply better in LabVIEW than with conventional programming languages. I’ve measured a factor of 5 compared with C on a small project. Others have reported improvements of 15 times.* Quick prototypes as well as finished systems are now routinely delivered in what used to be record time.
■ The graphical-user interface is built in, intuitive in operation, simple to apply, and, as a bonus, nice to look at.
■ LabVIEW’s graphical language—G—is a real programming language, not a specialized application. It has few intrinsic limitations.
■ There is only a minimal performance penalty when it is compared with conventional programming languages, and LabVIEW does some things better. No other graphical programming system can make this claim.
■ Programmer frustration is reduced because annoying syntax errors are eliminated. Have you ever gotten yourself into an argument with a C compiler over what is considered “legal”? Or made a seemingly minor error with a pointer and had your machine crash?
■ Rapid prototyping is encouraged by the LabVIEW environment, leading to quick and effective demonstrations that can be reused or expanded into complete applications.
■ Sophisticated built-in libraries and add-on toolkits address specific needs in all areas of science, engineering, and mathematics.
■ Programming in LabVIEW is fun. I would never say that about C (challenging, yes, but fun, no).
Like any other tool, LabVIEW is useful only if you know how to use it. And the more skilled you are in the use of that tool, the more you will use it. After 19 years of practice, I’m really comfortable with LabVIEW.
It’s gotten to the point where it is at least as important as a word processor, a multimeter, or a desktop calculator in my daily work as an engineer.
