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If you want to distribute VIs to other computers or other users, consider the ways in which you want users to work with the VIs before you select the method of distribution.

If you want to distribute VIs that include block diagram source code to other LabVIEW users, you can assign password protection to the block diagrams. The block diagram is still available, but users must enter a password to view or edit the block diagram.

If you want to distribute VIs that other LabVIEW developers can use in their VIs, create a source distribution. If you do not want developers to edit the VIs, you can create a source distribution in which you assign password protection to specified VIs. You also can configure VI settings to remove the block diagram source code from specified VIs, which reduces the file size and prevents users from changing the source code. If you save a VI without the block diagram, users cannot edit the VI, move the VI to another platform or upgrade the VI to a future version of LabVIEW.

You can use the Application Builder to create and build the following types of files to distribute to users.

Note  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.

• If you want users who do not have the LabVIEW development system to run an application, create a stand-alone application. A stand-alone application also is appropriate when you want users only to run an application and not view or edit LabVIEW code.

Note  The Application Builder does not include a cross-platform compiler. You can run an application only on the platform you used to build it.

• If you want to share VIs and functions with developers who use other programming languages, create a shared library.
• (Windows) You can create an installer for stand-alone applications, shared libraries, or source distributions that you want to distribute to other users. You can include more than one stand-alone application, shared library, or source distribution in an installer. You also can include license and readme files, version and company information, shortcuts, registry keys, and National Instruments installers in the installation.
• If you want to distribute instrument drivers, selected source files, or an entire LabVIEW project, create a zip file.