As applications for acquiring larger data sets continue to grow, users in science and engineering fields are facing a growing need for visualization and analysis tools. Seamlessly integrating IDL functionality with National Instruments (NI) LabVIEW now allows users to take advantage of the power of both powerhouse products and focus more time on the project at hand, rather than the tool being used to complete it.

IDL Script Node for NI’s LabVIEW

The IDL Script Node for LabVIEW allows LabVIEW users to gain the advanced visualization and analysis capabilities of IDL within LabVIEW by writing new code or executing existing IDL applications from the LabVIEW graphical development environment. In addition, IDL users can now take full advantage of the test, measurement and control capabilities of LabVIEW in their workflow.

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Executing the IDL Script Node

The IDL Script Node executes IDL pro code directly within an NI LabVIEW virtual instrument (VI) and is a specialized form of LabVIEW’s general script node architecture. A script node is a special edit node place on the block diagram of the VI in which you can type command statements in the language chosen for that instance of the script node, in this case IDL. Input values can be wired to the script node, where they appear as initialized variables to the script. Similarly, the script can create output values that can pass out of the script node for use by the rest of the LabVIEW VI.
The IDL Script Node is part of the Functions Palette in NI LabVIEW. To create a script node you open the Functions Palette, follow the path to the IDL Script Node and click and drag the IDL Script Node item into the block diagram. Once the IDL Script Node is in the block diagram you can enter IDL pro code in it and run the script node in either batch or procedure mode.
You can also run it in a persistent mode that preserves the IDL instance across script-node executions. The code executes in the determined mode and sends all IDL standard output such as print commands and errors to the LabVIEW debugging window. Users can also run and interact with IDL applications such as iImage, one of IDL’s powerful iTools, during code execution.

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Bridging technologies from RSI

Since IDL’s inception in 1977, one of its core strengths has been its ability to integrate and bridge with other software technologies.
The IDL Script Node for NI LabVIEW is RSI’s latest implementation of advanced, IDL bridging technology that allows IDL users to quickly, easily and seamlessly integrate IDL functionality with leading, external software technologies. Additional implementations of IDL bridging technologies are planned for the coming year.

Harold Cline
Director of Product Management, RSI