Trying to make software for Instrument Control

[VISAnoob]

Hi, 

I am a beginner to instrument control using VISA. I have used the R&S Forum application to control instruments in the past over VISA (USB/GPIB). But now I want to make a proper GUI. And I have some shamelessly nooby questions to ask. I have googled this stuff before and found plenty of information, but I'm still not sure. Any help or pointers are appreciated. Thanking all of you very much in anticipation.

1. What is the difference between NI VISA 14.x and NI VISA 5.4.x?
2. I have an instrument, I have a PC running Windows, what do I need to install other than the instrument drivers (VISA 14 or 5.4 or 488.2 etc.)?
3. What would you recommend for making the software (GUI), like Visual Basic or C++ or something, or this measurement studio thingy? Preferably something that doesn't cost me money.

[crossrulz]

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@VISAnoob wrote:

1. What is the difference between NI VISA 14.x and NI VISA 5.4.x?
2. I have an instrument, I have a PC running Windows, what do I need to install other than the instrument drivers (VISA 14 or 5.4 or 488.2 etc.)?
3. What would you recommend for making the software (GUI), like Visual Basic or C++ or something, or this measurement studio thingy? Preferably something that doesn't cost me money.

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1.  I would expect just bug fixes and support for some newer drivers.

2. Depends on how you are communicating with your instrument.  If you are using GPIB, then you need to install that driver for that interface (488.2).

3. Visual Studio, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI.  I'm a LabVIEW person, so I'm a little biased to that.  But just use the language you are most comfortable with.  It would also help if you got drivers from R&S for whichever environment you are deciding to use.

[Dennis_Knutson]

What is a 'forum application'?

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

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@Dennis_Knutson wrote:
What is a 'forum application'?

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Rohde & Schwarz Forum Application is "a free scripting tool for remote control of Rohde & Schwarz instruments. It allows users to run and edit example script sequences and to write their own script files, as well as on-the-fly remote control of instruments. Script files can range from simple command sequences (Winbatch syntax) to complex programs using the programming language Python."

If the objective of the OP is "free" software, then Microsoft's Visual Studio Community software would be the way to go.