Data acquisition, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and analysis software is designed to collect, record, store, analyze, and present data collected from digital devices such as sensors or gauges. This category includes data acquisition (DAQ) software for general use, as well as application-specific and device-specific software. Examples of data acquisition and analysis software include: data collection software, analog and digital signal conditioning software, instrumentation software, industrial control software, process control software, and discrete-state process control software.
DAQ software can range from simple data collection to robust applications for measurement and control in complex settings. The software is used to control tasks such as starting or stopping a counter, sending a command to an analog-to-digital converter, or gathering data points over time from a sensor. More complex DAQ software can convert acquired data into a variety of other representations, such as plots and graphs or three-dimensional graphics. Data acquisition and analysis software includes applications for data mining, data collection, and data capture.