Using Visual Basic to Program a Data Acquisition (DAQ) Device

Updated Dec 28, 2023

Reported In

Driver

  • NI-DAQmx
  • Traditional NI-DAQ

Programming Language

  • Visual Basic .NET

Issue Details

  • Can I use Visual Basic to program my data acquisition (DAQ) device?
  • Do I need Component Works installed to program my DAQ device in Visual Basic?
  • Our Visual Basic code is not communicating with the NI DAQmx driver.

Solution

When installing one of our DAQ drivers, you have the option of installing support files for certain programming environments. If you install support for Microsoft Visual Basic, the installer will copy and register the necessary ComponentWorks objects (ActiveX) to communicate with your DAQ driver. 

Both NI-DAQmx and Tradtional NI-DAQ (Legacy) can install support for other programming environments. If you install support for Microsoft Visual Basic, the installer will copy and register the necessary ComponentWorks objects (ActiveX) to communicate with your DAQ driver. This means that you will have access to basic data acquisition functions in Visual Basic. Components installed include:
  • CW DAQ 6.0
  • CW Help
  • GeneralDaqEvent
  • AnalogAlarmEvent
  • AnalogTriggerEvent
  • CW UI 6.0 (Evaluation Copy)
  • CW Analysis 6.0 (Evaluation Copy)

NI-DAQmx

When installing NI-DAQmx, you have the option to install support for the following programming environments:
  • LabVIEW
  • LabWindows/CVI
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Visual C/C++
  • .NET Framework 4.5.1
  • .NET Framework 4.5
  • .NET Framework 4.0
  • Veristand

Tradtional NI-DAQ (Legacy)

When installing the Tradtional NI-DAQ (Legacy) driver to control your DAQ device, you have the option of installing support files for following programming environments:  
  • LabVIEW
  • LabWindows/CVI
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Visual C/C++
  • Borland C/C++
  • Borland Delphi

Additional Information

Refer to the DAQmx Driver Readme for the Visual Studio versions supported. This Readme document can be found by going to the NI-DAQmx Download Page and selecting the Readme link.