Programming with LPL
22-2 Using the LI-6400
22
This chapter describes the elements of LPL syntax.
Overview of LPL
LPL is a language designed to program data collection and manipulation ap-
plications on the LI-COR LI-6400. LPL programs can also run on other com-
puters to which the LPL Operating system has been ported. LPL itself is
platform independent, which means that LPL programs can be developed and
tested on a DOS computer, and run on the LI-6400 or a Macintosh without
modification.
LPL provides control over a range of hardware, from keyboards and displays,
to A/D converters and digital I/O lines. Only the LI-6400 (as opposed to a
Macintosh computer, for example) actually has all of this hardware, of
course, but the LPL Operating System for each specific platform will provide
software simulation of the missing hardware. Thus, for example, it is possible
to program and read an A/D converter on a Macintosh just as if it were on the
LI-6400; the measured values on the Macintosh, of course, will be entirely
mythical
1
.
LPL applications take the form of one or more ASCII files. When an applica-
tion is launched, the file(s) are read and converted into executable form.
While itÕs running, an application can spawn other applications, but the par-
ent application does not continue executing until the child application termi-
nates. Data can be shared between parent and child applications.
1.
The Macintosh implementation, however, will allow remote control of an
LI-6400, so measured values can be real.
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