How to debug LabVIEW is a common challenge when using NI LabVIEW software. When the software doesn't run as expected, having effective debugging skills and a robust toolset becomes essential. Some of these techniques are widely used, while others may be tricks you've discovered on your own through experience.
We spoke with JKI's LabVIEW Architects (CLA) and members of the LabVIEW community to uncover some "top secret" methods for quickly identifying, isolating, and fixing bugs. Here are some clever debugging techniques we learned:
**Using Probes**
Probes are one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in LabVIEW for debugging. Placing a probe on a wire allows you to monitor data flow and identify issues efficiently. One useful feature is the "Save Wire Value" function, which stores the last value of each wire on the block diagram. Even when the VI isn't running, hovering over a wire displays its last value.
**Custom Probes Without Writing Code**
With LabVIEW Custom Probes, you can create powerful debugging tools without writing any code. For example, a Historical Probe can display previous values for multiple wires, helping you spot patterns or trends in your data.
**Getting Custom Probes from the LabVIEW Tools Network**
You can extend your toolbox by downloading custom probes created by others. SAPHIR offers free LabVIEW probes on the LabVIEW Tools Network. Simply download and install VIPM (free), search for ViBox, and install the probe with a few clicks.
**Suspend on Call Feature**
This lesser-known feature allows you to pause execution before a subVI runs. It lets you modify control values, return to the calling program, or skip the subVI entirely. This is particularly useful for testing and troubleshooting.
**Unwired Front Panel Controls and Displays**
Adding unwired controls or displays to the front panel can help simulate extreme conditions during testing. These controls act like debug inputs, allowing you to test edge cases without extensive code changes.
**Execution Tracking**
If other methods fail, stepping through the code is an option. The "Highlight Execution" feature (also known as the "bulb") helps visualize the data flow. For more advanced tracking, the LabVIEW Desktop Execution Trace Toolkit provides detailed memory and event information.
**Unit Testing**
Test-Driven Development (TDD) is a powerful approach where you write a unit test that reproduces a bug before fixing it. This ensures the fix works and prevents future regressions.
**USB Debugging Assistant Based on LabVIEW**
Here’s a simple example of a USB debugging assistant built using LabVIEW. We used an STM32 USB device communicating via interrupt endpoints. To make it work with LabVIEW, we installed the VISA driver, configured the USB resource, and wrote a basic VI to send and receive data.
After several iterations and adjustments, including handling timeouts and conditional logic, we successfully created a working USB communication assistant. This project demonstrates how LabVIEW can be used for real-world hardware interfacing and debugging.
In practical applications, developers often combine various debugging tools. By using error lists, breakpoints, probes, and execution tracking, you can quickly locate and resolve issues. Understanding LabVIEW's unique debugging features, such as highlighting execution and custom probes, can significantly improve your development efficiency.
LabVIEW offers a range of built-in tools, including the Error List, VI Hierarchy, Breakpoints, Highlighting, and Probes. Each of these tools plays a vital role in identifying and resolving issues in your code.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, mastering these debugging techniques will enhance your ability to create reliable and efficient LabVIEW applications. With practice and the right tools, debugging becomes a manageable and even enjoyable part of the development process.
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