What is LabVIEW

So for the beginning is good question what is LabVIEW. Answer should be that best programming language in the world :D we can stay with answer that it's graphical programming language. Better than thousand words is to see it:

And corresponding front panel for this example is here:

This example shows how to create waveform in LabVIEW. Each program in LabVIEW is saved in VI (Virtual Instrument) and is composed from two components. First is front panel and second is block panel. Logic behind this is same as with normal instruments, let's say osciloscope. What user see are knobs, display, ... what is designer designing are boards and parts wired together.

LabVIEW is unique because it's really complex graphical language. Program runs from left to right. During running data are passed through wires and each block in moment when it has all inputs available process them and push data to output. Basically program runs in same way how electrical devices, that's reason why it's so close to most electrical engineers (but as with all languages, sometimes you spent much time and drink lot coffee until you get your program running correctly).