BreakPoint
LabView vs LabWindows/CVI
F. Schubert wrote:
Well said. While we originally got LabVIEW 4.0 to replace dedicated instrument control hardware (Nicolet 1280 computer) with a PC based instrument control, it did not take me long to realize that pure math can be done much better in LabVIEW if we want a responsive and versatile UI (e.g. that does not become unresponsive during lengthy computations and can do more than one thing at a time). Sure, some nerdy linear application can be done in any programming environment, but if you focus on a good user experience, LabVIEW is orders of magitude better suited.
The inherently parallel nature of LabVIEW automatically takes care of utilizing all available CPU cores if needed and I have written many programs that would be very difficult to do in anything else in their current form. A single LabVIEW program can acquire data, control multiple instruments, run a simulation, react to cursor movements, do realtime analysis, etc. etc. all at the same time and without missing a beat and without having the programmer jump through flaming hoops.
My real goal in life is to prove that LabVIEW is the best programming environment for general-purpose programming. I understand that this is an uphill battle because that's not how LabVIEW is marketed and NI always want to sell you hardware.
I do have extensive personal experience in text based code, having written many programs, even in exotic things like Fortran, DCL, or SAS. I understand personal preference. Every time I sit down to do some matlab, I get frustrated. Sure these things are nice if there is no alternative, but once you know LabVIEW there is no turning back to text based code. Why make things difficult! Sure you can get from point A to point B in a kids tricycle but you would not want to commute with it every day.
NI has a great math team. Have a closer look at the linear algebra and fitting palettes for example to realize that LabVIEW is very strong in these areas.
The end user does not care what was used to write the program. All that matters is that it is responsive, interactive, easy to use, and fast. Let the user focus on the data and the results! Only LabVIEW allows the programmer to write such a program easily.
I have written many elaborate LabVIEW programs where similar code written by others is available (Fortran, matlab, etc.). The LabVIEW code is orders of magnitude easier to use and, in turn, offers a more pleasant and satisfying user experience. They entice more researchers to actually spend some time on these problems without giving up in frustration. Users that try them all, typically stick with my LabVIEW programs.
This advances the field in general and benefits mankind. :D.
@altenbach wrote:
...My real goal in life is to prove that LabVIEW is the best programming environment for general-purpose programming. I understand that this is an uphill battle because that's not how LabVIEW is marketed and NI always want to sell you hardware.
...
And that is why you are a Champion. 
Ben
Imagine these gif-s on LabView icons...
I think it would help LabView to reach its target audience! 
@Ali65 wrote:
Imagine these gif-s on LabView icons...
I think it would help LabView to reach its target audience!
Hi Ali!
I have a question just for you.
In your opinion, is software
1)something that should only be used by a small group of experts ?
or is it
2)something that could be used by those that are not experts ?
Feel free to spin that question anyway you want.
Ben
@Ben wrote:
@Ali65 wrote:
Imagine these gif-s on LabView icons...
I think it would help LabView to reach its target audience!
Hi Ali!
I have a question just for you.
In your opinion, is software
1)something that should only be used by a small group of experts ?
or is it
2)something that could be used by those that are not experts ?
Feel free to spin that question anyway you want.
Ben
I've been monitoring this thread and haven't chimed in since lately it's been going around and around with no apparent point. I did want to respond to this, only to say that we need to make a distiction between software and programming languages.
NI's viewpoint is basically that "anybody" can use LabVIEW, and even went so far as to create the lovely Express VIs for everyone to enjoy. We who program LabVIEW on basically a daily basis know reality, and not the marketing hype that NI puts out. Software, on the other hand, is something that can, and should be used by anyone. We use software when writing emails, or using apps on smartphones.
As far as programming languages are concerned, I side with the "should be used by people who know what they're doing". Someone had to write that smartphone app to create software that someone else who doesn't know how to program could use. It's no different than designing hardware. I don't want my mom designing circuit boards, and neither do I want her programming LabVIEW. But I'd want her to use that recipe app on a smartphone. If she ever decided to actually use a smartphone, that is. 
@Ben wrote:
@Ali65 wrote:
Imagine these gif-s on LabView icons...
I think it would help LabView to reach its target audience!
Hi Ali!
I have a question just for you.
In your opinion, is software
1)something that should only be used by a small group of experts ?
or is it
2)something that could be used by those that are not experts ?
Feel free to spin that question anyway you want.
Ben
Ben,
2 Software could be used by not experts? Usually not. Every software requires some level of expertise. If my one year old sets the alarm clock on my phone, it does not make her an expert of time management. Even if it appears that the software could be used by her, it was just her luck. You can try to design a software to be used by novices. For example a special alarm clock for those people who have no concept of time, but everyone else will probably think that this software (or the user interface of this software) is too complicated. (Did I mention LV? )
1 It depends on the area of use. The software what is used to design a nuclear reactor, should only be used by a small group of experts. The same software if used to design a flyer about a missing dog, should be used by large group of experts.
I cannot recognize OR relationship between 1 and 2.
Ali
@Ali65 wrote:
1 It depends on the area of use. The software what is used to design a nuclear reactor, should only be used by a small group of experts. The same software if used to design a flyer about a missing dog, should be used by large group of experts.
That's a very good point, so even in the realm of software (as opposed to a programming language), there should also be a distinction on who should use it, based on what it does. That, of course, applies to hardware as well. For example, I don't think you'd want your 1-year old operating a toaster, even though it's designed to be extremely simple to use.
OK, so what was the original point of this thread? 
