Measurement Computing WaveBook rev.3.0 - Manual (Page 22)

1-8 WaveBook Overview, 6-25-99 WaveBook User’s Manual
Programming Environments
Reference Note:
Individuals who want to write their own applications programs should refer to Appendices C and D for
detailed API information.
The install disks (or CD-ROM) include “drivers” to accommodate various programming environments. This
section will help you decide which Application Program Interface (API) and programming language to use
in developing your application. WaveBook applications can be written to either the Standard WaveBook
API or to the Enhanced Daq* API:
• The Standard API has the same format (only written to 32-bit mode) as the 16-bit Windows 3.X version of the
driver. Standard API functions have the specific wbk… prefix.
• The Enhanced API is a newer format that can be used with the WaveBook, DaqBook, DaqBoard, Daq PC-Card
and TempBook product lines. Enhanced API functions share the daq… prefix.
In general:
• You cannot mix standard and enhanced API commands; you must choose one or the other.
• If starting with an existing WaveBook application written to Windows 3.X, the quickest port is to use or rewrite
code to the Standard API.
• If writing a new application, it is best to write code to the Enhanced API due to its improved performance and
enhanced feature set (see following).
Standard API (wbk…)
The Standard API was originally written for the WaveBook’s Windows 3.X driver. However, it can be
used under Windows 95/98 in 16-bit or 32-bit mode; and under Windows NT in 32-bit mode. The Standard
API is the only API option available for DOS or Windows 3.X applications. The standard API does not
support the WBK30 memory option. You can use the Standard API when:
• developing a new or existing DOS application
• developing a new or existing Windows 3.X application
• a quick port of an existing 16-bit Windows 3.X application to 32-bit mode Windows 95/98/NT is required
Enhanced API (daq…)
The Enhanced API for 32-bit systems has several features that are not present in the Standard API:
• Multi-device: Can concurrently handle up to 4 devices (including WaveBooks, Daq* products, and/or
TempBooks)
• 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/NT
When creating your own programs, use the Enhanced API (daq…), if feasible.
Use the Enhanced API when:
• developing new or existing Windows 95/98 applications
• developing new or existing Windows NT applications
• using a WBK30 memory option
• porting an existing Standard API application to 32-bit mode to take advantage of the Enhanced API features
Language Support
Enhanced API (or 32-bit Standard)
Supported Languages Standard API (16-bit)
Supported Languages
C/C++
Microsoft Visual C++
Borland C++ (v4.0 and greater) C/C++
Microsoft Visual C++
Borland C++ (v4.0 and greater)
BASIC
Microsoft Visual Basic (v4.0 and greater) BASIC
Microsoft Visual Basic (v4.0 and greater)
QuickBASIC
Delphi
Borland Delphi (v2.0) Pascal
Turbo Pascal