Accessing gpib using VB.net

[gmiller]

Does the current ni-488.2 driver (version 2.4) delivered with pcmcia gpib boards support access by VB.net? Do I need to purchase any other driver software? If it is supported what references/files must be added to my VB.net project file? What is the difference between VISA and "traditional" NI gpib programming commands?

Thanks,

gmiller

[Steven_T]

Gmiller,

There is a languages folder that is istalled with the ni-488.2 installation.  It should be in Program Files>>National Instruments>>NI-488.2>>Languages etc.  This folder will have example programs as well as readme files for how to compile and run these programs.  Visual Basic shoudl be one of the languages used. 

I would also recommend checking the help file in start>>Programs>>National Instruments>>NI-488.2 and searching for visual basic.  It will let you know some of the files that would need to be included in any gpib program.

The VISA functions end up calling GPIB functions in the end if the VISA resource happens to be GPIB.  VISA is kind of like a wrapper or abstraction layer on top of all the different interfaces you may have (GPIB, Serial, TCP/IP, USB).  Just because you change interface types doesn't mean you have to learn a whole new API!

I hope this helps.

Steven T.

Message Edited by Steven T on 03-27-2007 09:18 AM

[Steven_T]

Gmiller,

I did some checking around and found that the examples that appear in the NI-488.2 folder are actually for VB6.0.  To get the examples for .net, you need to check this path: C:\Program Files\National Instruments\MeasurementStudioVS2003\DotNET\Examples\GPIB.  The path would change slightly if you were using VS 2005 instead of 2003.

I hope this helps.

Steven T.