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You can use the Application Builder to build a zip file. A zip file is a file that contains compressed files, which you can send to users. Zip files are useful if you want to send instrument drivers, selected source files, or an entire LabVIEW project to other developers.

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 to build a zip file without using the Application Builder, use the Zip VIs. You must know the relative path for every file you want to include in the zip file to use these VIs.

Complete the following steps to build a zip file.

1. Open the LabVIEW project you want to use to build the zip file. You must have a project open and saved to build a zip file.
2. Expand My Computer or another target. Right-click Build Specifications and select New»Zip File from the shortcut menu to display the Zip File Properties dialog box. If you previously hid Build Specifications in the Project Explorer window, you must display the item again to access it.
3. Complete the following items on the Zip Information page of the Zip File Properties dialog box.
   1. Enter a name for the build specification in the Build specification name text box. This name appears under Build Specifications in the Project Explorer window. The name must be unique among other build specification names in the project.
   2. Enter the location for the zip file in the Destination path. You can use the Browse button to navigate to and select a location.
   3. Enter any information about the zip file that you want users to read in the Comments text box. Users can read the comments in the properties dialog box for the zip file.
4. From the Source Files page, select the files you want to include in the zip file. Use the arrow buttons to move the selected files from the Project Files tree to the Included Items tree. Place a checkmark in the Zip entire project checkbox if you want to include all files within the project in the zip file.

Note  If you select the Zip entire project option, LabVIEW does not include outputs from other build specifications in the Included Items tree. You must use the arrow buttons to add a source distribution, shared library, or application to the zip file. Outputs of zip or installer build specifications do not appear in the Project Files tree. To include another zip file or installer in the zip file, add the zip file or installer you want to include to the LabVIEW project under the target from which you are building the zip file.

5. From the Zip File Structure page, select the file structure you want to use for the zip file. The Zip file structure field shows an example of the functionality of each Base Zip Directory Mode. The Zip file structure example is for illustration purposes only, and does not show a preview of the zip file you are creating.
6. From the Preview page, review the zip file location and contents. When you build a zip file, the Application Builder does not automatically include all the dependent files. Review the Preview page to ensure you included all the files you need.
7. Click the OK button to close the Zip File Properties dialog box and update the project with the build specification settings.

Note  When you update the build specification settings, the settings become part of the project. However, you must save the project if you want to save the settings.

8. Right-click the zip file build specification name and select Build from the shortcut menu. You can find the resulting zip file in the directory specified in the Destination path on the Zip Information page.

You can duplicate build specifications. 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 can use the Zip VIs or the BuildTargetBuildSpecification VI to build zip files programmatically.

Note  The BuildTargetBuildSpecification VI includes Property Nodes that are not supported in built applications, so you cannot include this VI in any built applications.