Simple answer - no.
More complex answer - LabVIEW is just like any other programming
language when it comes to data collection frequency. The
frequency (intermittent, continuous, timed, etc.) depends upon the
analysis you are attempting. To do power spectra or display
waveforms, all you need is one set of data at a time. The data
does not have to be continuous. There are classes of problems
which require continuous data. If you are trying to address them,
you will need to have this mode of operation available. Most NI
input boards offer both modes - continuous and intermittent, with
intermittent being the most used, by far.
Note that with proper buffering, both modes end up being about the
same. Whether your buffer resides on the card (preferred, is more
robust, data transfer timing is not so critical) or in the computer
main RAM, the LabVIEW side of things will always take a single set of
data at once. Admittedly, this data set can be one point at a
time, but you really don't want the overhead of that in LabVIEW (or any
other higher level function - should be in your driver).
