decompilation
Executable to source
Decompilation is the process of converting compiled computer code back into human-readable source code.
Software is typically compiled from programming languages into machine code that computers can execute but humans can't easily read.
Decompilation reverses this process, often to understand how software works, recover lost source code, or find security vulnerabilities: The security team used decompilation to analyze the malware.
Separating into components
- reverse engineeringAnalyzing something to understand construction
- bytecodeCompiled platform-neutral instructions
- binaryConsisting of two parts
- source codeProgramming instructions before compilation
executable · object code · machine code · assembly · debugging · JVM · disassembler · reconstruction
Digital copyright protection law
- copyrightExclusive reproduction rights
- intellectual propertyLegal rights over inventions
- EULASoftware license abbreviation
- trade secretHidden business knowledge
infringement · circumvention · proprietary · license violation · litigation · takedown · clean room · interoperability
Openness to harm
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- obfuscationDeliberate concealment through confusion
- packingPutting items in containers
- unpackingRemoving items from containers
forensics · payload · ransomware · backdoor · sandbox · honeypot · penetration testing · zero-day
Unsupported, discontinued programs
- legacy softwareOutdated programs still maintained
- archivalOf preserved documents
- emulationCopying to rival
- compatibilityMutual suitability between things
retro gaming · ROM · obsolete · museum · restoration · vintage · migration · documentation
disassembly
Separating into components
- reverse engineeringAnalyzing something to understand construction
- bytecodeCompiled platform-neutral instructions
- binaryConsisting of two parts
source code · executable · object code · machine code · assembly · debugging · JVM · disassembler · reconstruction · pseudocode
DMCA
Digital copyright protection law
- copyrightExclusive reproduction rights
- intellectual propertyLegal rights over inventions
- EULASoftware license abbreviation
trade secret · infringement · circumvention · proprietary · license violation · litigation · takedown · clean room · interoperability · fair use
vulnerability
Openness to harm
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- obfuscationDeliberate concealment through confusion
- packingPutting items in containers
unpacking · forensics · payload · ransomware · backdoor · sandbox · honeypot · penetration testing · zero-day · signature
abandonware
Unsupported, discontinued programs
- legacy softwareOutdated programs still maintained
- archivalOf preserved documents
- emulationCopying to rival
compatibility · retro gaming · ROM · obsolete · museum · restoration · vintage · migration · documentation · rebuild
decompilationcompilation
Gathered works assembled together
compiling · building · assembling · code generation · linking
compile, compiler, compilers, compiling, compiled, compilation, compilations, decompile, decompiler