A build specification contains all the settings for a build output that you create from a LabVIEW project, such as files to include, directories to create, and settings for VIs. You must create build specifications from a LabVIEW project.

Use Build Specifications in the Project Explorer window to create and configure build specifications for LabVIEW builds.

The build specification interface is a set of dialog boxes that allows you to customize your build specification type. Each dialog box has pages that are unique to each build specification type. For example, when you build a stand-alone application, the Application Properties dialog box allows you to select which VIs launch at startup and which VIs are always included.

To create a build specification, complete the following general steps.

  1. If you previously hid Build Specifications in the Project Explorer window, display the item again.
  2. Save the project to create build specifications.
    If you use an unsaved project, LabVIEW prompts you to save before opening the dialog box you use to configure each build specification.
  3. In the Project Explorer window, expand My Computer, right-click Build Specifications, select New » <Type of Build Output>.
  4. Define the settings for the build specification.
    Creating a build specification involves various required, recommended, and optional configuration settings, depending on the type of distribution. For details on creating a build specification and choosing settings, refer to Creating and Configuring LabVIEW Build Specifications.
  5. Click OK to close the dialog box and update the build specification in the project.
    The build specification appears in the project tree under Build Specifications.
  6. Build the application.
    OptionDescription
    Interactive
    • Right-click a specification and select Build from the shortcut menu to complete the build.
    • Right-click Build Specifications and select Build All.
    Programmatic

Creating Build Outputs Programmatically

For an example of building a project build specification from the command line, refer to the Generate Programmatic Build Command Line String VI in the labview\examples\Application Control\Application Builder API directory.