Digital-to-analog conversion. The opposite operation of an A/D.
DAQ Assistant
An Express VI used for quickly configuring a data acquisition Task.
DAQmx Task
See NI-DAQmx Task.
Data Acquisition (DAQ)
Process of acquiring data, usually by performing an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. Its meaning is sometimes expanded to include data generation (D/A).
data dependency
Condition in a dataflow programming language in which a node cannot execute until it receives data from another node. See also Artificial Data Dependency.
data logging
Generally, to acquire data and simultaneously store it in a disk file. LabVIEW file I/O functions can log data.
data storage formats
The arrangement and representation of data stored in memory.
data type descriptor
Code that identifies data types; used in data storage and representation.
database
Data that is organized for use by one or more computers. Usually, a database is a networked software application that provides controlled and efficient access to shared enterprise data.
dataflow
Programming system consisting of executable nodes in which nodes execute only when they have received all required input data and produce output automatically when they have executed. LabVIEW is a dataflow system.
datalog file
File that stores data as a sequence of records of a single, arbitrary data type that you specify when you create the file. Although all the records in a datalog file must be of a single type, that type can be complex; for instance, you can specify that each record is a cluster containing a string, a number, and an array.
datasocket
A communications protocol supported by LabVIEW for sharing live data across a network.
DC
Direct current. The opposite of AC (alternating current). Refers to a very low frequency signal, such as one that varies less than once a second.
decoration
An object that is used on the front panel or block diagram in order to "decorate" (enhance the GUI) or document the VI. It serves no functional purpose. For example: lines, arrows, boxes, circles, and so on.
description property
Description of the front panel object that appears in the Context Help window when you move the cursor over the object and in VI documentation you generate.
device
A plug-in DAQ board.
device number
Number assigned to a device (DAQ board) in the NIDAQ configuration utility.
diagram disable structure
A structure that has one or more subdiagrams, or cases, of which only the Enabled subdiagram executes. It is commonly used to disable ("comment out") a section of the block diagram.
description box
Online documentation for a LabVIEW object.
destination terminal
See sink terminal.
dialog box
An interactive screen with prompts in which you specify additional information needed to complete a command.
differential measurement
Way to configure a device to read signals in which the inputs need not be connected to a reference ground. The measurement is made between two input channels.
digital data
Data that consists of 0's and 1's.
digital waveform
A special Waveform Datatype that contains Digital Data.
digital waveform graph
A graph that can display Digital Waveforms.
dimension
Size and structure attribute of an array.
DLL
Dynamically Linked Library. A Shared Library on the Windows operating system.
DMA
Direct memory access. A method by which you can transfer data to computer memory from a device or memory on the bus (or from computer memory to a device) while the processor does something else. DMA is the fastest method of transferring data to or from computer memory.
drag
The act of moving the mouse cursor on the screen to select, move, copy, or delete objects.
dynamic data
A special LabVIEW data type that adapts to just about any type of data that can be displayed in a graph.
