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Use Build Specifications in the Project Explorer window to create build specifications for source distributions and other types of LabVIEW builds. A build specification contains all the settings for the build, such as files to include, directories to create, and settings for VIs.

Note  If you previously hid Build Specifications in the Project Explorer window, you must display the item again to access it in the Project Explorer window.

You can create and configure the following types of build specifications:

• Source distributions—Use source distributions to package a collection of source files. Source distributions are useful if you want to send code to other developers to use in LabVIEW. You can configure settings for specified VIs to add passwords, remove block diagrams, or apply other settings. You also can select different destination directories for VIs in a source distribution without breaking the links between VIs and subVIs.

Note  The following types of build specifications require the Application Builder. The LabVIEW Professional Development System includes the Application Builder. If you use the LabVIEW Base Package or Full Development System, you can purchase the Application Builder separately by visiting the National Instruments Web site.

• Stand-alone applications—Use stand-alone applications to provide other users with executable versions of VIs. Applications are useful when you want users to run VIs without installing the LabVIEW development system. (Windows) Applications have a .exe extension. (Mac OS) Applications have a .app extension.
• Shared libraries—Use shared libraries if you want to call VIs using text-based programming languages, such as LabWindows™/CVI™, Microsoft Visual C++, and Microsoft Visual Basic. Using shared libraries provides a way for programming languages other than LabVIEW to access code developed with LabVIEW. Shared libraries are useful when you want to share the functionality of the VIs you build with other developers. Other developers can use the shared libraries but cannot edit or view the block diagrams unless you enable debugging. (Windows) Shared libraries have a .dll extension. (Mac OS) Shared libraries have a .framework extension. (Linux) Shared libraries have a .so extension. You can use .so or you can begin with lib and end with .so, optionally followed by the version number. This allows other applications to use the library.
• Installers— (Windows) Use installers to distribute stand-alone applications, shared libraries, and source distributions that you create with the Application Builder. Installers that include the LabVIEW Run-Time Engine are useful if you want users to be able to run applications or use shared libraries without installing LabVIEW.
• Zip files—Use zip files when you want to distribute files or an entire LabVIEW project as a single, portable file. A zip file contains compressed files, which you can send to users. Zip files are useful if you want to distribute instrument driver files or selected source files to other LabVIEW users. You also can use the Zip VIs to create zip files programmatically.

You can distribute these files without the LabVIEW development system; however, stand-alone application and shared library users must have the LabVIEW Run-Time Engine installed.

You must create build specifications in the Project Explorer window. Expand My Computer, right-click Build Specifications, select New and the type of build you want to configure from the shortcut menu. Use the pages in the Source Distribution Properties, Application Properties, Shared Library Properties, (Windows) Installer Properties, or Zip File Properties dialog boxes to configure settings for the build specification. After you define these settings, click the OK button to close the dialog box and update the build specification in the project. The build specification appears under Build Specifications. Right-click a specification and select Build from the shortcut menu to complete the build. You also can select Build All from the shortcut menu to build all specifications under Build Specifications.

Note  You can duplicate build specifications in the Project Explorer window. Right-click the build specification item you want to duplicate and select Duplicate from the shortcut menu to create a copy of the Build Specification item. You also can drag and drop build specification items to rearrange the build order within the same Build Specification.

Review the caveats and recommendations for applications and shared libraries and for installers before you create build specifications with the Application Builder.