# Java de-compilers

Steve Thielemann (stevet@citicom.com)
Wed, 25 Mar 1998 10:35:00 -0500

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    Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19980325103500.0098e890@citicom.com>

    Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 10:35:00 -0500

    To: java-security@web2.javasoft.com

    From: Steve Thielemann <stevet@citicom.com>

    Subject: Java de-compilers

I have seen various products designed to reverse Java byte-code out to Java
source. As a potential developer, this is a concern.

I would like to see this issue answered and addressed by you, preferably by
e-mail, but more importantly, on your web site. (How many other developers
like myself return to debugging their ActiveX objects, rather than porting
them to Java?)

My concerns:

1.) How well do the commercial de-compilers work? (Obviously well enough
to promote their own anti-de-compiler products -- but I am leery of
weathermen that also just happen to sell umbrellas.)

2.) Is there a solution to the anti-de-compiler problem? Can a Java
application be made that can't be de-compiled? If so, is there any future
product or jdk which will correct this?

3.) Why isn't this mentioned at all on your developer's web site? This
is by far the biggest concern of mine, from a developer's viewpoint, more
so then performance issues. Code can always be optimized, but I'd prefer
it to be done by someone on my development team, not by someone who has
reversed out my source code!

Thank you for your time,

Steve Thielemann

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