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An aliases file has a .aliases file extension. LabVIEW uses an aliases file to map computer names to IP addresses. For example, My Computer typically maps to localhost or the actual IP address of the host computer running LabVIEW. LabVIEW automatically creates a project aliases file when you create a new LabVIEW project, but you must create the aliases file manually in the following cases:

• The application uses shared variables and you do not use the build specification to deploy the shared variable aliases file.
• (PDA Module) You are using a target that eMbedded Visual Tools enables.

Creating the Aliases File

You can create an aliases file through the build specification or manually.

Manually Creating the Aliases File

The format of the aliases file you create is the same as the LabVIEW project aliases file as shown in the following example:

[My Computer]
My Computer="10.0.10.149"
[My Fieldpoint]
My Fieldpoint="10.0.40.150"

The shared variable aliases filename must be the same as the application filename. The aliases file also must be in the same directory as the PDA or Touch Panel application. For example, if the PDA or Touch Panel application is My Application.exe, the aliases filename must be My Application.aliases.

Creating the Aliases File through a Build Specification

To use a build specification to create and deploy the aliases file, place a checkmark in the Deploy aliases file checkbox on the Machine Aliases page of the Build Specification Properties dialog box. You also can use the Machine Aliases page to edit the IP address. The PDA Module disables the Deploy aliases file checkbox if you are using a target that eMbedded Visual Tools enables.

Deploying the Aliases File

To use a build specification to create and deploy the aliases file, place a checkmark in the Deploy aliases file checkbox on the Machine Aliases page of the Build Specification Properties dialog box. You also can use the Machine Aliases page to edit the IP address. The PDA Module disables the Deploy aliases file checkbox if you are using a target that eMbedded Visual Tools enables.

Alternatively, you can manually download the aliases file in the same way you manually download a PDA or Touch Panel application. You can move the shared variable to a different host without rebuilding the PDA or Touch Panel application by changing the IP address of the shared variable host in the aliases file and manually downloading the aliases file to the same directory as the corresponding application on the PDA or Touch Panel target.

Editing the Aliases File with the LabVIEW Aliases File Editor

You can use the LabVIEW Aliases File Editor to edit the aliases file on the target.

(PDA Module) Tap Start»Programs»LabVIEW Aliases File Editor to launch the LabVIEW Aliases File Editor. Tap the browse button to browse to and open an aliases file.

(Touch Panel Module) Tap LabVIEW Aliases File Editor.exe in the NI\Shared Variables Support 8.5 directory to launch the LabVIEW Aliases File Editor on the target. Tap the browse button to browse to and open an aliases file on the target.

When you edit the aliases file to change a shared variable to a different host, the aliases filename must be the same as the application filename. The aliases file also must be in the same directory as the PDA or Touch Panel application. For example, if the PDA or Touch Panel application is My Application.exe, the aliases filename must be My Application.aliases.

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