LLB

[LarsUlrich]

So I was given a floppy disc that contained a .LLB file for an old LabVIEW program.  When I open it I see a list of .vi files.  I am wondering if I can open those .vi files through the list shown in the .LLB file, or if the .LLB is just a list without the actual programs.  When I double click on what would be the top level .vi, it looks like my curser turns into an hourglass for a split second like it is doing something, but then it goes away and nothing happens.  I'm not sure exactly what a .LLB file is for, so I am not quite sure what all I can do with it, but I would like to be able to open and take a look at this program.

[Yamaeda]

Through LLB manager you should be able to easily convert the LLB to an ordinary folder which is better nowadays.

An LLB is a zip file of sorts, which only handles .vi and related files. However, LV can't open too old files in a specific version, so it's quite probable you need to upconvert the old files in steps.

/Y

[Norbert_B]

An LLB is a container file for LV sources. The history of LLBs starts with DOS-based OS (like Windows 3.1) where the naming convention for files was the 8.3 convention.

Sources within LLBs were not bound to this 8.3 convention.

LLBs do contain the sources.

You have LV installed properly? If so, i find it possible that the settings of the VI you try to open will disable you to see the VI (Run on load, hidden front panel). If the VI would be to old for current LV versions, i would expect a dialog telling you this.

Do you know which version the LLB was created with? Which version do you now use?

Does it affect ALL VIs within the LLB? 

Nowadays, there are many other options to generate source packages rather than the LLB. But still, it is used a lot by some developers...

thanks,

Norbert 

[LarsUlrich]

Thanks for the help...

I converted it into a folder and see the .vi files now, though I get an error when I try to open it.

"An error occured while loading VI 'cs114.VI'.  LabVIEW load error code 10: VI version (3.1) is too old to convert to the current LabVIEW version (8.5)."

Any tips?

[Norbert_B]

Please visit the version conversion board.

Norbert 

[LarsUlrich]

I'll post it up there, but is there nothing I can do myself to convert them?

[LarsUlrich]

I only ask because it is a failry large program with a bunch of sub.vis, don't know how willing a random stranger will be to convert all of them.

[Norbert_B]

If you have LV versions "in between" available, yes, you could convert it on your own.

Following this KB, you can also get your own conversion kit, which makes sense if you expect that you have to do that on a regular basis.

Please note that you cannot upconvert VIs whose block diagrams have been removed. Also you might get issues if the VI uses toolkits/addons/modules you don't have available in your current LV version. 

Norbert 

[Yamaeda]

Looking at Norberts KB, if you get that conversion kit and a slightly older LV than your 8.5 (do you have 7 or 8 laying around?) you can convert it yourself. 

/Y 

[LarsUlrich]

I do have labview 8.0 on one of the computers around here, that is probably what I'll do.  Unfortunately I cannot download the conversion kit, I have to order a hard copy.