Source code

[Terje Johan Abrahamsen]

"Tim Peters" <tim.one at comcast.net> wrote in message
news:mailman.1032152959.16896.python-list at python.org...
> [Terje Johan Abrahamsen]
> > If I would like to write some code that would not be possible for
> > others to read, after I distribute the program, would Python be
> > suitable?
>
> No, but I don't know of a language that would be.  Unless you're also
going
> to supply a restricted CPU that prevents stepping through the machine
code,
> you can't really hide anything from a determined reverse-engineerer of
> ordinary skill.
>
> > ...
> > or should I look for a compiled language instead?
>
> It's very easy to reverse-compile Python bytecode.  It's not so easy to
> disassemble compiled machine code, but if you think there aren't lots
people
> who can read machine language almost as easily as high-level source,
you're
> in for a surprise.  Compilers follow predictable patterns too.  You could
> try writing directly in highly obfuscated assembler; that would raise the
> bar high enough to discourage almost everyone, although it would also
> attract a class of cracker who would feel challenged to outwit you.
>
> If you didn't know all that already, you're playing a game you can't win.
A
> better idea is to question why you want to play it at all <wink>.

I am not looking to stop people that really want to copy my code. My program
is not that unique. However, I want them to have to type the code themselves
if they want to duplicate it. Not only to reuse my sourcecode if it can be
picked up from Py2Exe.