Abstract:Python is an interactive high-level scripting language with simple syntax and high development efficiency. But Python does not support memory pointers, and is not convenient for instrument programming. This paper introduces and compares several methods to invoke instrument driver in Python, and takes ADLINK PXI-nuDAQ2206 multi-function data acquisition card as an example to show how to wrap customized instrument driver into Python’s extension module utilizing SWIG (Simple Wrapper and Interface Generator). Remote and cross-platform API calling is also achieved in the process. Finally, a performance comparison test is designed, and the efficiency of invoking instrument driver in Python is quantitatively analyzed.