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Functions are the essential operating elements of LabVIEW. Function icons on the Functions palette have pale yellow backgrounds and black foregrounds. Functions do not have front panels or block diagrams but do have connector panes. You cannot open or edit a function.

Adding Terminals to Functions

You can change the number of terminals for some functions. For example, to build an array with 10 elements, you must add 10 terminals to the Build Array function.

You can add terminals to functions by using the Positioning tool to drag the top or bottom borders of the function up or down, respectively. You also can use the Positioning tool to remove terminals from functions, but you cannot remove a terminal that is already wired. You must first delete the existing wire to remove the terminal.

You also can add or remove terminals by right-clicking one of the terminals of the function and selecting Add Input, Add Output, Remove Input, or Remove Output from the shortcut menu. Depending on the function, you can add terminals for inputs, outputs, or refnum controls. The Add Input and Add Output shortcut menu items add a terminal immediately after the terminal you right-clicked. The Remove Input and Remove Output shortcut menu items remove the terminal you right-clicked. If you use the shortcut menu items to remove a wired terminal, LabVIEW removes the terminal and disconnects the wire.

Built-in VIs and Functions

The Functions palette also includes the VIs that ship with LabVIEW. Use these VIs and functions as subVIs in an application to reduce development time. Click the View button on the Functions palette and select Change Visible Categories from the shortcut menu to display all categories on the Functions palette.

Programming VIs and Functions

Use the Programming VIs and functions as the basic building blocks for a VI.

Measurement I/O VIs and Functions

Use the Measurement I/O VIs and functions to interface with Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy), NI-DAQmx, and other data acquisition devices.

Instrument I/O VIs and Functions

Use the Instrument I/O VIs and functions to interface with GPIB, serial, modular, PXI, and other types of instruments.

Mathematics VIs

You can use the Mathematics VIs to perform many different kinds of mathematical analysis. You also can interface real-world measurements to the mathematical algorithms in order to obtain practical solutions.

Signal Processing VIs

Use the Signal Processing VIs to perform signal generation, digital filtering, data windowing, and spectrum analysis.

Data Communication VIs and Functions

Use the Data Communication VIs and functions to exchange data between applications.

Connectivity VIs and Functions

Use the Connectivity VIs and functions to work with .NET objects, ActiveX-enabled applications, input devices, register addresses, source control, and Windows registry keys.

Express VIs and Functions

Use the Express VIs and functions to build common measurement tasks.