>> can we hide a python code ? >> if i want to write a commercial software can i hide my source code from >> users access ? >> we can conver it to pyc but this file can decompiled ... so ...!! > > All of these make it hard enough to deter most people who will ever > want to abuse your source code. Until you have *lots* of users this is > probably enough. > > I never understand the knee-jerk reaction on this mailing list to > answer people who ask this question by telling them they don't really > want to do it...
I think the reaction is based mostly in reality...an honest answer: If you give people the program, then you also give them the ability to reverse engineer it. It's as simple as that. No matter how dongled, obfuscated, compiled, encrypted, etc. At some point the code actually has to be executed/interpreted, and at that point, it can be intercepted. Thus, "by telling them that they don't really want to do it", the list is conveying the futility of attempting to strive for the goal. Obfuscation may be a shallow speedbump, and for some folks, better than nothing. However, it's better to have a good relationship with your customers and know that they will adhere to licensing conditions, rather than to try and strong-arm them into behaving a particular way. My "%s%0.2f" % (currency_marker, 0.02) on the matter. :) -tkc -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list