Cross platform builds to EXE (linux, windows and Mac)

[Mike_King]

I have a client wanting EXEs for all three platforms with a LabVIEW application.  I only have windows systems and experience with them so I'm just curious what is all involved to do cross platform builds.  I assume a linux install is needed to make those builds and Mac install is needed for those builds.

If so, does anyone have all three and could provide a rough guess as to how long it takes to take a Labview project (pretty simple DAQ application, no HARDWARE drivers needed, just modbus TCP) and build EXE and installers for the MAC and linux platforms.  Curious what it takes to set this up for the first build and then if required any subsequent updates if I had bug fixes.

How many hours would that involve to handle the other 2 systems (linux/mac)? Also, I'd likely have to subcontract this to someone so that's why I ask, as I don't intend to buy & setup these other environments if that is required.  Thanks for any help.

[wiebe@CARYA · Accepted solution]

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@Mike_King wrote:

I have a client wanting EXEs for all three platforms with a LabVIEW application.  I only have windows systems and experience with them so I'm just curious what is all involved to do cross platform builds.  I assume a linux install is needed to make those builds and Mac install is needed for those builds.

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Yes, each build needs to be build on the target.

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@Mike_King wrote:

If so, does anyone have all three and could provide a rough guess as to how long it takes to take a Labview project (pretty simple DAQ application, no HARDWARE drivers needed, just modbus TCP) and build EXE and installers for the MAC and linux platforms.  Curious what it takes to set this up for the first build and then if required any subsequent updates if I had bug fixes.

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Hmm. It rarely is that simple.

I'd probably charge at least 1 day to set things up and examine the project for (unexpected) problems. Maybe that's it, maybe things needs to be fixed.

It would depend on how's doing the fixing how much time that will cost. If we'd need to change the application, that would be a big unknown.

Expect path problems. Not just the formatting, also destination paths, maybe rights issues. If the project is small, there might be 0 issues though. How knows, maybe you already anticipated that? 

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@Mike_King wrote:

How many hours would that involve to handle the other 2 systems (linux/mac)? Also, I'd likely have to subcontract this to someone so that's why I ask, as I don't intend to buy & setup these other environments if that is required.  Thanks for any help.

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I'd be inclined to use virtual machines.

Maybe virtual machines will lower the bar for you. You might take a shot at this yourself.

The problem with these kind of projects is that they are undefined. So anyone taking these kind of projects will change either big bucks, charge by the hour, or get burned.

I hope you have SCC set up. If not, that would be required. Who's doing that? Changes might be needed to the project structure (maybe to facilitate 3 projects). Who's doing that? Changes to the code itself... Who's doing that? Testing will be needed. Who's doing that? Etc. 

There will be unexpected stuff. Last time I had to to a Linux project, a big problem was fonts. LabVIEW for Linux (I think) uses TTF, while that's uncommon for Linux. We had the project outsourced (and paid by our customer). But these kind (the unexpected kind) of problems will pop up, and no smart contractor will sign up for it. 

Intuitively, I think if this costs you more than 5 days for the first 2 (tested) releases, you didn't find the right person. But I never done stuff like this.

For each rebuild, I'd probably charge 4 hours. 1 hours for the build, 3 hours for handling, maintenance, sales, overhead, etc.

If the solution can be done with VMs, you could try to simply buy configured VMs.

[Mike_King]

Thanks so much for the detailed thoughts wiebe@CARYA

Very good points across all your comments and I really appreciate the estimates.  My client is likely way too optimistic in what he thinks this will cost and I agree with you, since its unknown issues, I'd have to charge hourly rates without fixed costs (that's all I ever do anyway).  Yes, I would build the solution myself, all in git SCC, no problem in windows, maybe even linux on a VM like you say, but I've never touched a Mac so wouldn't even know where to start and without an environment, easier to get someone else.

The DAQ project should be pretty simple, but good points as well on the fonts and paths, I would certainly run into those, as well as creating installers.  That's a pain in windows and I'm sure its also a pain for linux/mac, especially not having done that before.

Anyway, I'll see if its worth it for the client considering the costs then likely to do all platforms.  Thanks so much!