Comparing LabVIEW graphical code to text-based alternatives for use in test applications

The increasing difficultly of developing modern test systems is compounded by shortened development times and exponentially more complex devices under test. The fundamental need for connectivity to a wide variety of hardware has not changed, but test engineers often find themselves building systems without the final hardware and without access to the actual device that will be tested. This need for flexibility and reusability in modern test applications has driven the emphasis on software based architectures. National Instruments LabVIEW is the most widely used development environment for instrument connectivity and test applications, but it´s often used in hybrid systems that combine a variety of programming approaches. As a result, it´s important to understand how graphical code compares to, and can work with, traditional text-based alternatives for use in these complex test systems.