develop upgradable applications with Labwindows CVI Installer

[Mulan]

Hi,

I have a question about Labwindows CVI Distribution Kit.

I've developed an application which I distribute in a CD.

The app. needs VISA Runtime and NI USB 6008 Drivers. I also distribute MAX  for troubleshooting purposes.

Ok. This is all packaged in the installer  when I build the application with LabWindows CVI 8.0

My problem is that every time I modify the app.  (not a big modification, just an improvement of some functions) I must distribute a new CD containing VISA, DAQ drivers and MAX, and users have to run a complete new installation... and that's a very large file to download, but it is large because of VISA and other drivers, not because of my code.

My question is ... if I build the modified application WITHOUT including VISA and other drivers... and I distribute it to be installed by users that already have VISA and DAQ drivers installed from the original distriubution... Will it work??

Thanks!

[Mert_A.]

Hi Mulan,

Yes, it will work.  When you upgrade your product, the other drivers will remain unaffected.  The only exceptions are the few components that are distributed as "merge modules," in which case, their files are counted as part of your product's installation. For such components, it is important to keep them selected for inclusion in your distribution, otherwise when your application is upgraded, the files may be removed. The CVI Run-Time Engine, when not included in full (i.e. all subcomponents' checkboxes not selected), is included as merge modules.  All drivers, including VISA, DAQ, etc. are included as standalone packages, so you can safely exclude them from your distribution.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Mert A.
National Instruments

[Mulan]

Ok! so I can distribute app ugrades and sleep peacefully!!!

Thank you very much, Mert !