Replacing exe files & installers...

[chuggins1434]

Ok, so I'm starting to work with distributions and had a question.... say I build an executable and installer, but once I start running it I find that I have a small glitch... nothing that would require extensive rewrite, but maybe I want to update a constant or two or change the font size here and there...  and rebuild my exe file.    Now, do I need to build a whole new installer or can I just take my new exe file and drop it in the target machine replacing the first exe file?   

Thanks!

C

[crossrulz · Accepted solution]

For testing purposes, you can generally just replace your executable.  But you will want to rebuild your installer for the official release.

[altenbach]

Personally, I always build a new installer (but typically don't include run time engines and such). If you manually copy, the install tools might not know the actually installed version.

[James.M]

I'm with altenbach on this one. I also build an installer without the run-time add-ons each time, but this usually just because I have some support files that are deployed as well that I want to make sure I overwrite. If your application can simply be overwritten with the executable, that is the easiest way. Just make sure you do go back and test the full installer version right before release.

[chuggins1434]

Ok, good to know... so, how far can you take it?  Where's the line you don't want to cross?  I'm thinking any mods to a sub-VI or channel changes that you're not going to update would be obvious, but updating fonts, moving buttons around, changing or adding buttons...    Thoughts?

[James.M]

Are you asking in relation to versioning? If you want a change in the executable, you have to rebuild the entire executable. Usually versioning is linked to the executable version, not the installer version.

[chuggins1434]

I'm asking in relation to the exe file...

[James.M]

If you want a change in the executable, you have to rebuild the entire executable.

[chuggins1434]

Gotcha... I guess I"ll just try a few iterations and see.   Thanks guys for the info and help! 

C