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PDFWindows Vista, previously code named “Longhorn,” is the latest version of the popular Microsoft Windows operating system. Windows Vista is scheduled for release to the general public in early 2007. During the months following its release, Windows Vista, like its predecessor Windows XP, is bound to find its way onto most desktops and laptops at home and in the office. This article offers a brief introduction to Windows Vista and suggests benefits for developers creating virtual instruments using National Instruments LabVIEW software.
Windows Vista Features and Technologies
It has been almost five years since the last major release of the Windows operating system, Windows XP. In the interim, Microsoft has been working to simplify common tasks for Windows users, develop new technologies for application developers, and address highly publicized security concerns. Although Microsoft has not yet solidified the final feature set for Windows Vista, you can expect the new operating system to include the following features, in addition to several others.
Aero
Aero is the name for the new, visually compelling, graphical user interface in Windows Vista. A number of new technologies, such as the Desktop Window Manager, facilitate this improved user interface. The result is a richer visual experience, with features including transparent window effects, animations, file previews, and 3-D effects. See screenshots of Aero in action on theMicrosoft Web site and a screen capture video from third-party reviews online at cnet.com, for example.
However, the full set of Aero features will only be available on machines with video cards that support at least DirectX 9 and onboard video memory. Depending on the capabilities of your video card, Aero functionality may vary. This is not likely to be an issue if you obtain Windows Vista pre-installed in a new machine. However, if you are upgrading to Windows Vista on existing hardware, consider researching your video card specifications.
Figure 1. This image illustrates an example of stacked LabVIEW VIs rendered in Windows Vista.
Security
Microsoft is making serious security improvements in Windows Vista to mitigate problems such as virus attacks. Automatic Update, Windows Security Center, Windows Vista firewall, and Windows Defender are included with the operating system and are designed to keep malware off your machine. Additionally, Microsoft is providing its Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) as a free download for Windows users.
Along with software for improved security, Microsoft is implementing user accounts to intelligently manage security privileges, minimizing how often you need to log in as an administrator. If you are not logged in as an administrator, viruses and other malware have fewer opportunities and less power to damage your system.
Quick Search
With the Quick Search tool you can take system search to a new level with significant improvements to both the performance and convenience of system searches, compared to Windows XP. Using both file content and meta data, Quick Search is designed to promptly return relevant results based on your query. The Quick Search prompt also is conveniently integrated into the Start menu and all Explorer windows, making it readily available. Quick Search paired with intelligent file tagging results in the simplification of data retrieval and the location of existing code.
.NET 3.0 (WinFX)
.NET 3.0 (previously named WinFX) is the object-oriented application programming interface (API) for Windows Vista that supersedes the Win32 API used in Windows XP. The Win32 API was first introduced in 1993, released with Windows 95 in 1995, and, according to Microsoft, had reached the limits of its design, which prompted the current update. .NET 3.0 offers new flexibility in integration by exposing more of the presentation, data management, and network communication capabilities of the operating system. This new API will not have immediate impact on existing applications but will give application software developers, including NI LabVIEW developers, new power and flexibility when creating software for Windows.
32- and 64-Bit Options
Intel and AMD have supplied PC vendors with both 32- and 64-bit processors since 2005 and Microsoft also sells 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows XP. Windows Vista is expected to ship up to nine different editions of the operating system, with each edition optimized for various uses such as home, professional, or small business. Most of these editions will also have 32- and 64-bit options.
If you currently use Windows XP, know that 32-bit application software designed for Windows XP can install and run on 32-bit Windows Vista without any problems. This is largely true for 32-bit applications on 64-bit Vista as well because Microsoft is implementing an emulation layer on which these 32-bit user mode applications can run. Kernel mode software, such as driver software, on the other hand, must be rewritten for 64-bit execution. Researching both driver software and application software availability is important as you consider which Windows Vista edition to use.
If you are a Windows customer using hardware and software products from National Instruments, you can expect the majority of application software, driver software, and measurement hardware — including PCI Express, PCI, PXI, and USB devices — to be available for use on Windows Vista shortly after Microsoft releases the operating system to the general public.
Make the Most of Windows Vista with LabVIEW
You can take advantage of the new visualization, security, search, and compatibility technologies in Windows Vista as soon as installation of the new OS completes. However, Windows Vista customers using LabVIEW are well prepared to make of the most of Windows Vista.
In the last few versions of LabVIEW, National Instruments has introduced increasing integration with .NET technology. For example, with LabVIEW you can call properties and methods in .NET assemblies; respond to .NET events; and program using the new Class Browser that simplifies the navigation of the VI Server, ActiveX, and .NET classes. LabVIEW 8 is available today so you can already use LabVIEW .NET integration to implement .NET applications and tools within your LabVIEW development environment. Windows Vista and .NET 3.0 extend this capability considerably through the many new libraries previously not available through Win32.
For example, improved speech recognition and generation functionality will be available in LabVIEW through LabVIEW .NET integration with .NET 3.0. You easily can enhance monitoring applications written in LabVIEW by adding audible notifications of the current status and any alarm conditions using .NET 3.0 libraries. You can access these speech tools and other .NET 3.0 libraries by using the Class Browser to navigate within the System.Speech class. To automatically generate the appropriate property or invoke node, simply drag the selected property or method from the Class Browser onto the block diagram. Figure 2 illustrates how to create a simple “hello world” speech generation VI using this technique.
Figure 2. Use the LabVIEW Class Browser and .NET integration to make the most of Windows Vista.
LabVIEW .NET integration is a prime example of the National Instruments commitment to providing open connectivity while making the most of mainstream technologies such as .NET and Windows Vista.
Prepared for the Future
Soon after the release of Microsoft Windows Vista, the majority of personal computers sold will ship with the OS installed. Virtual instrumentation combines mainstream commercial technologies, such as Windows Vista, with flexible software and a variety of hardware so you can create user-defined systems that meet your exact application needs. As a leader in virtual instrumentation, National Instruments is prepared to lead the industry in providing support for application software, driver software, and measurement hardware on Microsoft’s next-generation operating system, Windows Vista.
Craig Anderson
Product Marketing Manager
craig.anderson@ni.com
Learn more about .NET integration for NI LabVIEW.
This article first ran in the March 21, 2006 issue of NI News.
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