I have written this peace of code that quiet alot of people have shown interest in purchasing. However, I fear that once someone pays for it they will start distributing it and editing the code etc...
I've heared that perl source codes can be encrypted. Can anyone please tell me how i can do this? there are certain variables that need to be changable in the code. So, the only thing i want to encrypt is the actual code (NOT THE VARIABLES)
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Cheers
Linda
The best you can do is obfuscate your code, but even the best obfuscator can be turned back to plain perl source code with modules like Deobfuscate.pm [search.cpan.org] and Tidy Perl.
So I wouldn't bother, just write a good license stating what can and can't be done with your code.
-dip
There are a number of perl compilers available for a variety of platforms. Just do a search. (Kind of goes against Larry Wall's principles 'though ;)
To solve the configurable variables thing, have the values read in from an external config file.
Shawn
I'm not sure that will help in this case. Linda is trying to protect code that she distributes. Not code that is under her control on a webserver.
....Unless I am missing something
Shawn ;)
Shawn
they claim to encrypt source code
so its harder toread the pure coding ....
one perl encrypter cost $19.95 is pc program
www.worldwidecreations.com/perlcoder.htm
www.perlguardian.com/
the other is a perlscript cost $150 for few months ;-(
but has powerfull md5 encryption.
i agree a good user lisence is better then encryption.
[edited by: sugarkane at 7:35 pm (utc) on July 21, 2003]
[edit reason] Delinked URLs [/edit]
(compiled executables for dist., etc.)
it encrypts the scrips automaticly?
or just prints out converted coding to browser?
"...they claim to encrypt source code so its harder toread the pure coding ..."
I'd suggest a compiler rather than something that mangles your code to obfuscate it. The advantages of a compiler are speed of execution and better resiliance to being hacked. The disadvantage is cross-platform portability. I mentioned in a previous post (msg #3) that there are plenty perl compilers about. As a couple of examples, see "Perl2.exe" (creates an executable for windows platforms) and see "PerlApp", which comes bundled with ActiveState's Perl Dev Kit, and can produce binaries for HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, and Windows.
"... i agree a good user lisence is better then encryption..."
I must protest in the most vehement form! Good computer security basics is the same as physical security. Put strong and obvious padlocks on your gates, not a sign which says "Thieves will be prosecuted". Security experts put it this way: You have to help the honest man stay honest. Sure, put the sign out, and have your premises protected with an alarm system, but also put the obvious deterents in place and make your valuables hard to steal, out of the reach of temptation. If you are a small operator without the time or resources to defend the licence agreement, it is not worth much.
"...could you explain how this works: (compiled executables for dist., etc.) ..."
My understanding is (feel free to jump in if I'm wrong): Perl 6 will come with a runtime environment called Parrot, which runs bytecode. Your Perl source would be compiled down to byte code which is what you would distribute. Note that Perl 6 will have some substantial differences from Perl 5.x, although Perl 5.x will be able to be automatically ported, persumably with some utilities which will come with Perl 6.
Shawn
