From labview to labwindows/cvi

[brightest]

Hello evry one

Im a labview programmer and have done some Industrial Automation projects by labview/DSC .

Unfortunately ,labview is very heavy and executes slowly at all ; databse connectivity toolkit doesnt work fast enough(in comparison with microsoft visual studio)

I think labview is not best choise for large scale projects although it has very nice tools/controls/functions(specially dsc module).

As a C++ programmer ,  I've begun to learn labwindows recently.so It seems very fast and reliable and Im enjoying that !

But I need more controls and functions for SCADA systems that labwindows has not them.

All I need are : 

1)some controls like pipe lines , control valves , ...

2)connectivity with citadel database

Is there any way to import labview controls to labwindows ??

Is Labwindows/CVI suitable for SCADA projects in your opinion as Labwindows programmers ??

Isn't Labwindows/CVI beter than labview for large scale and industrial projects at all ??

How do you think about  Labwindows/CVI vs Labview generally ?

I found Labwindows/CVI structure very well but I cant undrestand why NI doesnt support LW/CVI as good as labview !

It would be very nice if LW/CVI had a module like Labview DSC .

Have you any advice for me ??

thank you every one

Regards , baher

[gt3000]

Hello Baher,

I would like to help you with your application.  I am glad to see that you are finding your way around both LabVIEW and LabWindows CVI.  Your experience is leading you to find LabWindows CVI more comfortable to begin with, however, you are not able to use the DSC module, as in LabVIEW. 

LabWindows CVI and LabVIEW are equally supported by National Instruments, however, as you have found yourself, each package has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on the programmer. 

LabVIEW is designed to handle large scale industrial applications, multiple controls and inputs, and act as a bridge between any communication protocols.  I can help you review your programming to see if any improvements could be made so that you can get the speed you require out of the DSC module and Database connectivity toolkit. 

Please reply with the version of the all the NI software you are using.  Also, please describe how you understand LabVIEW to be running 'slow and heavy' on your system.  What is your hardware configuration?  How long have you been using LabVIEW?

Regards,

[brightest]

Hi Goerge , thanks for your reply

I have been using Labview since Labview 5 version . I've done some industrial automation (SCADA software) projects based on Labview 7.1 and then Labview and DSC module 8.2.1 during last 4 years and Im working on a project based on Labview /DSC 8.6 and database connectivity toolkit 1.01 now .

Actually I don’t have a critical problem with Labview .I just used "Slow" term for labview against CVI and VC++ applications speed.

The speed of  labview applications is clearly very slower than VC++ .for example loading a table of an access databse in VC++ using ADO is so many times faster than a same one in labview .Im familiar with VC++ but have not enough knowledge to produce a reliable application with that.As I said before , I've recently installed Labwindows/CVI 8.5 and It seems exactly what I need and  almost has  benefits of both VC++ and Labview(Speed of VC++ and labview tools such as some of controls and functions).I know that It is more difficult for me to produce an application in CVI in comparsion with Labview in order to lesser controls and functions but Labwindows/CVI seems very fast , comfortable and reliable to me.

Now, my questions are:

 1)How is the performance of CVI database connectivity toolkit vs Labview's one ??

2)What are the basic differences between structures of Labview and Labwindows/CVI ….what about them generally ?

3) Which one of them is suitable for large scale SCADA applications in your opinion ?

? Is it a right decision for me to switch to Labwindows/CVI instead of Labview/DSC to produce SCADA applications or not

 Im so sorry for my poor English

Regards,baher

Message Edited by brightest on 11-10-2008 06:54 PM

Message Edited by brightest on 11-10-2008 06:58 PM

[gt3000]

Hello Baher,

You have been working with both LabVIEW and LabWindows CVI for several years, and therefore would like to make sure that you have been making the most of the features the packages have to offer.

The capabilities of LabVIEW and LabWindows, with the correct programming, execute with the same high performance.  The most suitable for a Supervisory Control application is LabVIEW with DSC module.  It gives you the tools you need to complete the main specification of any SCADA system.  Most importantly, any SCADA system should provide you with two things: 1) A method of communication and monitoring via an on-screen HMI on a host and terminal, and 2) Scalability for expansion. 

LabVIEW with DSC will allow you to build a better respresentation of your monitoring platform.  Your end-users will also be more successful in the future, as your LabVIEW VI can more easily be modified if the monitored process is changed, or increases in size.  Although both LabWindows CVI and LabVIEW support NI hardware, you will find many third-party hardware manufacturers have increased compatibility interfacing with LabVIEW.

I can recommend that you implement a test application using DSC and Database Connectivity in LabVIEW.  You can highlight where you would like to see improvements in performance, and then post your VI on this forum.  Myself, and others on the forum, could review your Block Diagram and offer improvements according to best practices. 

There are some tutorials for improving Database performance in LabVIEW online.  Please navigate to 'http://www.ni.com/zone' and search the term 'Database.' 

Regards,

[brightest]

Hi George

Thank you for your help

I will make a VI to read a database then I will post it here for you

Regards , Baher

[jr_2005]

Better to post it on the LabView boards...