How do you run a VI with labVIEW runtime engine

[EdHarris]

Hello,

How do you run a vi you have created in labVIEW on another computer with the labVIew runtime engine? 

I keep seeing things about this so I assume it is something that can be done but any searches I make immediately head off into the weeds with terms I have no clue about. There is no explanation out there for dummies it seems.

Do you have to convert the vi into an executable?

Can you open the runtime engine, select the VI /executable from list of files and open it, like you would in any other application, or do you have to do something programmatically if so how?

If you have downloaded the runtime engine where is it?

I have found out that you have to have the same version of runtime engine as labview the vi was created with and that for windows 7 that has to be no later than 2019.

Please start me off in the right direction.

[Bob_Schor]

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@EdHarris wrote:

Do you have to convert the vi into an executable?

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I believe the answer is "Yes".  I think (but am not certain) that you'll also want (or have) to do this in the context of a LabVIEW Project (with a .lvproj file).  Some people build an "Installer", which (I think) creates both the Executable and the supporting stuff (such as the Run Time System) to support it.  In my case, I find it easier to go the "Executable" route (since I typically install "custom code" on a  single "dedicated machine").

Bob Schor

[EdHarris]

This explains the process quite clearly.

youtube about making executables 

[RTSLVU · Accepted solution]

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@EdHarris wrote:

Hello,

How do you run a vi you have created in labVIEW on another computer with the labVIew runtime engine?

Do you have to convert the vi into an executable?

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Yes 

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Can you open the runtime engine, select the VI /executable from list of files and open it, like you would in any other application, or do you have to do something programmatically if so how?

No, You create a Windows executable and launch using its icon it just like any Windows program

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I have found out that you have to have the same version of runtime engine as labview the vi was created with and that for windows 7 that has to be no later than 2019.

Please start me off in the right direction.

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You can build an "Installer" that will contain the executable you made and the required LabVIEW runtime engine. When you build your executable there is an option you can select to make the .exe compatible with future versions of the runtime but the runtime must always be the same or newer version of the LabVIEW the program was written in.

Start here: Introduction to the LabVIEW Application Builder  read through all the sections, then come back for specific help. 

[altenbach]

You already got the answers you need, but here are a few more points:

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@EdHarris wrote:

How do you run a vi you have created in labVIEW on another computer with the labVIew runtime engine? 

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The runtime engine does not include and editor or compiler and cannot deal with "*.vi" files directly , unless they have been included in the built process when creating an executable.

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@EdHarris wrote:

I have found out that you have to have the same version of runtime engine as labview the vi was created with and that for windows 7 that has to be no later than 2019.

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You seem to be pulling random numbers out of a hat (7, 2019, etc.) and you should include a supporting link to backup your statements because I don't think they are true. The version compatibility chart can be found here.

It is unimportant what windows version was used to create the executable. Not only does the runtime version need to be the same (but see below for an exception!), it also needs to be the same bitness of course. If the executable was built in 32bit LabVIEW, the 64bit runtime engine of the same version will not work.

There is an exception for newer LabVIEW versions where you can specify that the executable will also support newer runtime engines than what was used to built it. (For example, you could built something now with that option and an upcoming 2027 Runtime engine will be able to run it. Fingers crossed... )

[Yamaeda]

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@altenbach wrote:

You already got the answers you need, but here are a few more points:

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@EdHarris wrote:

How do you run a vi you have created in labVIEW on another computer with the labVIew runtime engine? 

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The runtime engine does not include and editor or compiler and cannot deal with "*.vi" files directly , unless they have been included in the built process when creating an executable.

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There's actually a way to run .vi's in the runtime engine, but for this thread i'll agree that there's only the .exe.