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It’s really easy controlling most lab equipment using Python. There is good support for GPIO (which most simple instruments are using) and it is also easy to us
by ThePhysicist 6y ago
It’s really easy controlling most lab equipment using Python. There is good support for GPIO (which most simple instruments are using) and it is also easy to use ctypes to call into external DLLs if you have to. During my PhD I controlled more than 30 different instruments in real-time using Python, so it’s definitely possible. The learning curve is much steeper than for LabView of course if you don’t have experience as a programmer, but in most scientific fields programming is becoming more important anyway so most students learn it.
- analog31 6y agoI use Python extensively in the lab. In addition to what you say, Python plus Arduino is a killer combination. You can use an "advanced" Arduino compatible microcontroller as a GPIO on steroids with real time functionality, then talk to it using a Python program. While it might be slightly more awkward at first, having to hook up to external DLL's yourself, it really begins to shine when you can integrate it with all of the scientific programming tools such as data analysis and graphing.
- technologic 6y agodon't you mean GPIB?
- ThePhysicist 6y agoYes that was a typo.