What is the difference between wiring a datasocket reference or a datasocket URL into Datasocket Read and Write VIs?

Question

Which is better? To wire a URL or a reference into Datasocket read/write?
Does wiring in the reference save processor effort/time? Do I have to close the DS reference before I can do other things to either the same DS connection or other connections? The examples I have looked at tend to use URL's, why is this?
(I am running Labview 7.0 on Windows 2000)

Answer 1

I'd like to bring this thread back up because I'm having the same issue as Michael here.....
I'm stumped on a the functionality of the Read/Write mode for the Datasockets Open VI.
I've attached a picture below showing the 2 different methods of
opening Datasocket references....In one case, I use the Read/Write mode
for DS open, in the other case, I use 2 DS opens: One for READ and
another for WRITE. For some reason, only the latter program works
properly (when I open READ and WRITE separately). Why is this?
I
thought that if the READ/WRITE MODE was used, the output reference can
be used with the Datasocket READ and Datasocket WRITE Vi's as shown in
Top Vi of picture. Instead, It seems I'm unable to "change" the state
of the Datasocket tag using the the Top Vi.
FYI: I'm using
DS server manager to create the item. I've also gave proper privileges
to each computer so that they can communicate with the DS server. It
obviously works since using the bottom VI, I get the desired results.
What am i doing wrong?  Are my expectations for the Rea/dWrite functionality correct?
Message Edited by RegisPhilbin on 07-15-2005 11:11 AM