Creating 64-bit Applications Versus 32-Bit Applications

64-bit processors can handle arrays of larger sizes and can support more memory capacity than 32-bit processors. When you combine a 64-bit processor with a 64-bit operating system, you can take advantage of increased memory and data storage for your applications.

Note  Throughout the LabWindows/CVI Help and within the LabWindows/CVI environment, the terms 64-bit platform and 64-bit system refer to a 64-bit processor running a 64-bit operating system.

You can use LabWindows/CVI to create and distribute either 64-bit or 32-bit executables, DLLs, and static libraries.

To create a 64-bit application, select Build»Configuration»Release64, Build»Configuration»Debug64, or a custom 64-bit configuration. To create a 64-bit distribution, select Windows 64-bit as the Supported OS in the New Distribution dialog box. You can distribute 64-bit applications you create in LabWindows/CVI on the 64-bit versions of Windows 10/8.1/7/Server 2012/Server 2008.

To create a 32-bit application, select Build»Configuration»Release, Build»Configuration»Debug, or a custom 32-bit configuration. To create a 32-bit distribution, select Windows 32-bit and 64-bit as the supported OS in the New Distribution dialog box. You can distribute 32-bit applications you create in LabWindows/CVI on either 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows OSes supported by LabWindows/CVI.

If you convert a 32-bit application to an application that works correctly in 32-bit or 64-bit mode, you might need to modify your existing code to ensure that it adheres to 64-bit programming guidelines.

Note  You can run a 64-bit application only on a 64-bit system. However, you can compile 32- and 64-bit LabWindows/CVI projects on either a 32- or 64-bit computer.