Unpacking an EXE file ? decompiling an EXE file ?

[BuilderSpec]

Hi

I have this rumour that you can take an executable file and unpack it somehow and get back to some sort of object that can be changed and recompiled ?

Any ideas ?

Regards

BuilderSpec

 

[TonyGroves]

Sure, you can translate an executable into assembly language and a set of resources, but the code will be total gibberish. As far as I know, it's almost impossible to turn a program of any size back into comprehensible high-level source code.

 

[2ffat]

Actually, for those who understand Assembly, the code won't be gibberish. Just to those of use who don't understand Assembly.

I once saw a program that would take the Assembly code and produce a (somewhat) readable/compilable C source file. The problem was anything the program couldn't understand would still be put into assembly code in the C source file. This included many API's.

Most companies consider this illegal. Look at the EULA (End User License Agreement) on most programs and you will find that decompiling a program is not allowed.



James P. Cottingham
-----------------------------------------
[sup]I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229![/sup]

 

[JaceTBL]

Understanding separate Assembly instructions is one thing (and yes, you could probably convert it to working C sources as well) but understanding the whole program is totally different. Without variable and function names, class definitions and whatever, it'll be much harder to make a change in the program, especially changes on logically 'higher' levels.

Decompiling a program to its original source is impossible. Identifies (variable & function names), type info, class structures and all such high-level language constructs are lost.

 

[BuilderSpec]

thank you ppl...least i can stop looking as i didn't think there was anyway ..

BuilderSpec