Allow the specification of file type patterns under Always Included for Build Specifications or Auto-Populated Virtual Directories

[mcasta]

If you are instantiating classes dynamically or calling VIs dynamically through VI server, you may need to include the source files under "Always Included" when creating a build. If you are dealing with a large number of files in a multi-developer environment, you might also be using an auto-populated virtual directory. The problem with this is that everything under directory will be included in the build. Say you are building a hardware abstraction layer with 100s of different instrument drivers, you will likely have all sorts of different files like programming manuals, unit tests, project files, lower level instrument libraries, and VI trees. You might not want all of these files included in the build. Some of the files might not even compile (ie. VI Trees), which will prevent you from creating a successful build. If you are instantiating the classes dynamically, all you really need to do is include the lvclass files since that will automatically bring in the dependencies for that class. You could separate these files, but it would likely be a less cohesive directory hierarchy. For example, if a developer is implementing a driver they will probably want to access the programming manual under the same directory hierarchy, while at the same time, a programming manual probably wouldn't be beneficial to a user when the build is deployed so you might not want it included.  Being able to define 1 or more file type patterns on either auto-populating virtual directories or on the build specification UI for source files, would quickly resolve this issue.

[crossrulz]

If you have a HAL, it would be worth looking into turning it into a plugin architecture with PPLs.  That would alleviate much of the need here.

[wiebe@CARYA]

I've a pre-build VI that adds all my (dynamic) classes to a dummy VI.

I've found that adding the dummy VI to the always include list does not add the classes in the executable. The dummy VI needs to be added as top level VI for that.