Are newer version run-time engines backwards compatible with older version excecutables?

[omega_v]

I have a case where I have written an application using LabView 8.2 and compliled it into an executable. The computers of the technicians that will be using the application currently have run-time engine 6.1 installed and are using several other labview applications that were developed with 6.1. When they attempt to install run-time engine 8.2, they recieve a message that 8.2 run-time will not install until they have removed the older version run-time. Will the older 6.1 applications work with run-time 8.2 (backwards compatibility)? If not, is there some other work around that we can use besides recompiling the 6.1 apps into 8.2 format? (That could get messy...)

thanks,

[Matt_W1]

They're supposed to be backwards compatible, but the only way to tell that it all works is to try it (There's probably some limit on how far back it goes), I would be sure I could undo the update before I applied it though.

There is a bug with compiled code that uses tdms functions between the 8.2 and 8.21 runtimes (I'm pretty sure the 8.5 runtime works with stuff compiled in 8.21, I'm not sure how it handles stuff compiled in 8.2), so If you use tdms functions would suggest upgrading to 8.21, to avoid a known runtime incompatibility (unless NI straightened this out in 8.5's runtime.)

[TCPlomp]

Backwards compatible meaning that they can coexist yes (most of the times). It's best to install bottum up.
A 6.1 executable needs the 6.1 runtime.

Ton

[omega_v]

Thanks for the responses.

[Nitin_T]

Hi omega_v

If you need to run a program that was written in LabVIEW 6.1, then you will need the 6.1 Run Time Engine (RTE). Similarly, the LabVIEW 8.2 executable needs the 8.2 RTE. You can have multiple RTEs installed together on the same machine. It should also be possible for you to install the 8.2 RTE on the machine without removing the 6.1 RTE. I would suggest try making an installer (instead of an executable). Within the installer, go to Additional Installers and check if LabVIEW 8.2 RTE is selected. On installing the program (using the installer) on the non-development PC, it will install the 8.2 RTE too. Hope this helps.

[omega_v]

Everyone,

  Thanks for the responses.

Nitin,

  I think your suggestion is the route we will be taking. After weighing all the known options, this looks like the best one.

  Thanks to all,

  Richard Sullins