in reply to perl2exe - no more secrets

I can only speak from experience but a former employer of mine insisted that most of the code I wrote (for win32, no compiling for the UN*X code) be compiled. I certainly wasn't ashamed of the code I wrote (in retrospect, maybe not ashamed, but I realize I've come quite a way). They knew that it wasn't perfect, but that didn't stop them from using obfuscators on their Java either. It's just a simple measure, like a lock on a door. As my father is fond of saying it's "to keep the honest people honest".

--
I'm not belgian but I play one on TV.

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Re: perl2exe - no more secrets
by Abigail-II (Bishop) on Feb 24, 2003 at 10:30 UTC
    But using 'perl2exe' isn't so much a lock on a door. It's like scribbling 'this door is locked' on the door. And it gives people a false sense of security. Which is worse than having no security at all.

    Abigail

[reply]

      It's like scribbling 'this door is locked' on the door.

      There's a door here with a sign that says "Opening this door will set off the fire alarm". There is no alarm, but since they put that sign on the door has not been opened by anyone, while before it was used as a normal exit all the time.

      If the imaginary lock looks real enough, most people won't even bother. 

      Juerd
- http://juerd.nl/
- spamcollector_perlmonks@juerd.nl (do not use).

[reply]

        No one has opened the door because of the risk of embarrassment or disciplinary action. There is no such risk associated with poking around inside a long string of ones and zeroes with a file browser or debugger in the privacy of one's basement.

        Update: please do me a favor and if you choose to -- this node, tell me why. I'm perplexed at all the downvotes. Is the statement I made above incorrect, offensive, off-topic or impolite in any way?

[reply]
      That's why I use ROT-13 instead of XOR for a bogo-crypt. It's obviously a formalism only, and less likely to be confused for security.
[reply]

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