Package Creation

To create a package using Package Manager, you gather the relevant components into a single directory and build the package using the command line interface.

A package is a single compressed file that contains payload files intended for installation on a target system. Packages created by Package Manager have a .nipkg file extension. You can create three types of packages with Package Manager: File packages, Windows Installer (WinInst) packages, and end-user license agreement (EULA) packages.

Build a File package when you simply want to install files in directories you specify on a target system. File packages cannot include file-level conditions, so Package Manager always installs all files you include in the File package payload. In contrast, the payload for WinInst packages is one or more MSI files. Building a WinInst package allows you to install MSIs and include registry keys, conditions, or .NET assemblies. However, you can include and run executables using both package types. Build a EULA package when you want to allow a package to display a license agreement when installing the package.

Note For information about how to build packages using NI software, including LabVIEW, LabVIEW NXG, and TestStand, refer to the documentation for the product.