Parent Topic: Overview: Web-based Communication with a LabVIEW Application

Web services enable communication between LabVIEW applications and web clients. You can develop a Web service in a LabVIEW project.

Note For more information about concepts in this topic, refer to the Web services introduction and tutorial. LabVIEW Web services are available only in the LabVIEW Full Development System and the LabVIEW Professional Development System.

A Web service consists of four major components: HTTP method VIs, HTTP method VI dependencies, startup VIs, and static content files:

  • HTTP method VIs —Top-level VIs in a Web service. They contain the core functionality of the Web service and exchange data web clients over a network.
  • HTTP method VI dependencies —SubVIs, shared variables, DAQ channels, and other components that appear within an HTTP method VI.
  • Startup VIs —VIs that exchange data with HTTP method VIs without using network resources and do not exchange data with a web client.
  • Static content files —HTML files, JavaScript files, stylesheets, images, and videos. For example, files that WebVIs generate for web pages.

Before you publish a Web service, test the Web service to ensure that clients can invoke and communicate with HTTP method VIs and static content as expected. If you notice unexpected behavior or errors, you can correct them and then test the Web service again.