Calling LabVIEW programs in Vector CANape

Updated Jan 12, 2024

Reported In

Software

  • LabVIEW

Other

  • Vector CANape

Issue Details

I have LabVIEW code that I would like to call in CANape. What methods are available to do this?

Solution

There are two methods for calling LabVIEW code in CANape depending on how you need to package the code:
  • If you are able to build your LabVIEW code into an executable, then you can call that executable in CANape using the CANape call() function. CANape's call function allows you to call a program or script with the program's path, and pass command line arguments to it. More information on the call() function can be found below.
In order to use your LabVIEW code via the CANape call() program, you will need to build your program into an executable and, if you need to pass initial values or commands to your code, configure it to accept command line arguments by using the Application.Command Line Arguments property node and configuring your build specification to pass command line arguments to the program.
  • If you are unable to build your code into an executable, you will need to build it into a DLL. It's possible to import LabVIEW DLLs into CANape, since they're built on C++, but you will need to write a wrapper DLL to translate the LabVIEW DLL so it is understood by CANape and it's DLL structure. Generic information on calling C functions in CANape can be found here, and there are additionally two example programs that ship with CANape that describe how to create DLLs both for CASL (CANape's native language) and real-time C.

Additional Information

More information on CANape's functions and additional information can be accessed through CANape's help documentation, which can be accessed by pressing the F1 key when in the CANape environment.