The Library (Programming Library), in programming, is a collection of pre-written, reusable code, functions, subroutines, and data structures that can be called upon by a programmer to perform common tasks. Instead of writing code from scratch for every single function, a developer can incorporate a library into their program and simply use the "tools" it provides. This is analogous to a craftsperson using a pre-made toolkit instead of forging every tool themselves. Using libraries accelerates development, reduces errors (as the library code has often been well-tested), and promotes code reuse.
A standard example in C programming is the Standard Input/Output library, stdio.h, which provides functions like printf() to print text to the screen. In the world of instrument control, libraries are essential.
The VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture) library is a crucial example. It provides a standardized set of functions for communicating with instruments, regardless of the physical interface being used (GPIB, USB, LAN, etc.). A programmer can use the VISA library's functions to open a connection to a power supply, write command strings to it, and read responses back, without needing to handle the low-level complexities of USB or TCP/IP communication directly.
Similarly, an IVI (Interchangeable Virtual Instrument) driver is a type of library that provides an even higher level of abstraction, allowing for control of entire classes of instruments (like power supplies) with generic commands. These libraries are the building blocks that make modern, efficient test automation possible.
