Joseph Barron (jbarron@netcom.com) wrote:
: I am looking for a utility that will deCompile C++ code. If there is such
: a utility on the market I am also interested in the features that are
: provided. Especially dealing with data and logic flow. I am working with
: a client that has a number of programs they need patched. The source code
: is either corrupted or missing.

: Regards,

: Joseph P. Barron - Barron System Integration, Inc.
: jbarron@netcom.com
: 73303.3376@compuserve.com

Speaking as a person who has desinged a disassembler and assembler,
worked on complers, and various object codes, you can forget about
a executable to C converter. The process of compiling destroys
enormous amounts of information needed to recreate original source
code. Optimization of the compiled output makes the problem much worse.

While theory would allow a smart programmer to produce something in
C that would recreate the logic of the original program, it would
be ugly and near useless when trying to follow it. Worse, when you
compiled it you would likely get a larger/slower program. This is
ignoring the nastys of coping internal library functions.

A more practical effort would be to get a good disassembler and change
the assembly level code. This is a much cleaner approach.

--
Independent Consulting Software Engineer    http://www.nmia.com/~ghealton
These opinions are my own. Life is learning and I may retract, modify,
even attack, my previous ideas at any time without notice.

I am looking for a utility that will deCompile C++ code. If there is such
a utility on the market I am also interested in the features that are
provided. Especially dealing with data and logic flow. I am working with
a client that has a number of programs they need patched. The source code
is either corrupted or missing.

Regards,

Joseph P. Barron - Barron System Integration, Inc.
jbarron@netcom.com
73303.3376@compuserve.com