What is a 'Named Pipe' used for in LabVIEW?

A Named Pipe is primarily used for inter-process communication (IPC) in LabVIEW and other programming environments. This mechanism allows different processes, which may be executing on the same machine or across a network, to communicate with each other by sending and receiving messages or data streams. Named Pipes establish a reliable communication channel, often used when processes need to share information or synchronize their activities without requiring direct connections.

In the context of LabVIEW, using Named Pipes facilitates the effective transfer of data and commands between various LabVIEW applications or between a LabVIEW application and another software component. This capability is particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time data exchange and coordination, ensuring that processes can operate in harmony while performing complex tasks.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary functionality of Named Pipes. For instance, remote file storage involves saving files to a distant server, which is not the role of Named Pipes. Online data retrieval generally refers to obtaining information from the web or other online sources, rather than local inter-process communication. Lastly, while a real-time graphical display is certainly a feature of LabVIEW applications, it does not relate to the purpose of Named Pipes, which focuses on facilitating communication rather than visualizing data.