Measurement Computing Data Acquisition Systems rev.10.4 - Manual (Page 7)

Introduction 1
API Features...... 1-1
Language Support...... 1-2
Driver Installation...... 1-2
A Note Regarding Devices and API Command Applicability …… 1-3
Reference Note:
Your companion user’s manual discusses hardware installation and setup, theory of
operation, troubleshooting, and ready-to-run software. If you plan to use DaqView software
[shipped with Daq device products], or you plan to use other ready-to-run software such as
DASYLab or SnapMaster, you will not need to use this manual.
Programmers can use the Applications Program Interface (API) to customize software. To
create effective programs, programmers must be familiar with the hardware and operation as
described in the previous chapters of this document.
Note: The readme files on the install CD-ROM will keep you up-to-date as APIs continue to
evolve.
Note: Daq PCMCIA is not supported under Windows95/NT drivers.
This manual serves both novice and experienced programmers.
• As a tutorial - The Programming Models chapter explains how to combine commands to
do useful work in a typical data acquisition environment. Program excerpts illustrate
concepts and can be modified as needed to use in your programs.
• As a reference – A great portion of the manual pertains to API commands. API
definitions and parameter values are important to ensure proper syntax, and that
software functions perform as intended.
Reference Note:
This manual contains no computer programming tutorials.
You may need to consult additional documentation.
API Features
The install CD-ROM includes several “drivers” to accommodate various programming
environments.
The API has several features:
• Multi-device - can concurrently handle up to 4 devices of the Daq device family
• Larger buffer - can handle up to 2 billion samples at a time
• Enhanced acquisition and trigger modes
• Direct-to-disk capabilities
• Wait-on-event features
• Uses multi-tasking advantages of Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Programmer’s Manual 908494 Introduction 1-1