Why is the Tools>>Compare submenu not accessible from the LabVIEW startup window?

[X.]

When starting LabVIEW, the following is accessible at the top of the Tools menu (at least on my installation):

I have to create or open a VI or perform any action that closes the Startup Window in order to get access to the Compare submenu of the Tools menu:

There doesn't seem to be any good reason why the Merge submenu is accessible but not the Compare one (I can understand that the Profile menu many need to have some VIs opened though).

In my particular case, I want to compare two VI hierarchies, so it doesn't help to have a VI or a project opened, but even Compare VIs has its own VI selection interface anyway.

Tested on LabVIEW 2015 64 bit. 

[hfarley2]

Hey X,

This is Henry from National Instruments Applications Engineering. If you refer to the following link, http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/3493C58EA0E842FA86256F86006142C0?OpenDocument , it explains how you can use LVCompare.exe to compare VI's that are not open in LabVIEW. This might be a good work around for what you are trying to do.

Best,

hfar2

[X.]

That is not my question.

My question is rather why the tool supposedly requires the VIs (or hierarchies) to be in memory (according to the KB article you are linking to) since the compare tool contains two "Select" buttons which allow browsing ON DISK to look for the VIs (or hierarchies) to compare.

In other words, in effect, it does NOT require the VIs (or hierarchies) to be in memory.

And therefore should be usable when starting up LabVIEW, without any need to create a dummy empty VI (which I do) to be able to use it.

Hence my question.

Using LVCompare.exe is for scripted actions and really is designed to be used with SCC. Not what I am looking for.

[hfarley2]

I understand what you mean. I have looked into this further and it appears that not including the Compare VI Hierarchies at the LabVIEW startup menu was a design decision. I have passed on this feedback to the product engineers here at NI, however I will say the LabVIEW startup window is not intended to provide the full functionality that you would have when actually working in a project or on a VI. 

I have also identified a method that enables you to access the Compare VI Hierarchies without opening a dummy VI or project. You can locate the LabVIEW library with this function by following the file path into your LabVIEW software: E:\National Instruments\LabVIEW\2015\project\ (in this case my hard disk drive is the E: drive which may be different for you). Within the project folder there is a Library called procmphier.llb. If you open that library and then open the main VI called CMP Compare Hierarchies.vi that will enable you to compare VI hierarchies without opening any project or VI on your computer. 

Hope this helps.

-hfar2

[X.]

That's a pretty far fetched workaround if I may say...

I am fine with "design decision" as an answer. I was just asking a question, not suggesting that there was a pressing need for change.

Although if there is a change, that would suit me fine.