On using System Execution VI

[Fong]

I'm looking to do the same thing. The system_exec VI also calls up a window which clutters up my task-bar in a major way. Anything you can do to have Labview close the window after the DOS program is finished?

-Fong

[Fong]

Also, I can't even get the system exec VI to output the "standard output" of the DOS program. I wrote the program myself in C in order to control a stepper contoller card in my PC. Ideally I'd like for my "printf" output to go straight into Labview for processing by my interface VI. Anything you can suggest?

My program takes in command line arguments and uses them to choose a function to run which directly commands my stepper card. Then it outputs the results of the function using printf (very basic programming). I could direct the output to a text file, but the HD access may slow down the program and I need as much speed as I can get.

Please help! Thanks!
-Fong

[Sandeep]

If I understand correctly, then following may be considered:

While your process called from LabVIEW's system excec VI is in progress, can it be made to write the events or it's outputs at different stages of completion ? Process is still running, and updating the 'event tracking file' say.

Now an other program (say monitor.exe) can read this file online and display the status, while your original process is still running.

Purpose of online monitoring will be solved except that some other program is displaying realtime data for you, instead of your primary LabVIEW program which called it.

[RobCole]

A few years ago (when I worked at a different company) one of the NI engineers went me a different system exec.vi that does exactly what you want. We used it to run a chip burner program and watch the progress. All of the data was generated in LabVIEW and then passed to the DOS program. We were told that this was an older version of the VI.

So, while I don't have access to that program anymore, I would suggest that you send a request to NI and, hopefully, they can give you the execution VI that you need.

Rob

[Joe_Guo]

check this one out:

http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/niepd_web_display.display_epd4?p_guid=B45EACE3EF4556A4E034080020E74861&p_node=ZONE&p_source=external

Joe

[Fong]

This is great! Thanks! That solves the cluttering of my desktop.
Now does anyone know how to get Labview to directly take the input from my program's printf statement?

This rocks!
-Fong