Thread: reverse-engineering...

  1. #1
    Registered User Nutshell's Avatar
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    reverse-engineering...

    Hi,

    I saw in Linux programming forum about how part of wine and many other programs are made using some reverse-engineering techniques since microsoft windows is closed-source. I am interested by the subject, even by the name. How does reverse-engineering work? What do u need to do reverse-engineering?

    thnx

  2. #2
    Registered User zahid's Avatar
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    In this case you need to study the application (products) options, behaviour first..
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  3. #3
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    It depends on what kind of software you're looking at. If you have a large piece of code, no documentation, reverse engineering means that you walk the way back to design and requirements. So the results of your reverse engineering will be a set of documents describing the designs and requirements of the software.

    In case you want to analyse Microsoft software, which doesn't include source-code, you need to walk a different way. First you need to do research on the behaviour of the software, just as Zahid mentions. This can be done by running the software and try all possible options. Also try to get as many documentation on the software as you get. What you also could do in addition is using a disassembler to study the assembly code.

  4. #4
    Registered User Nutshell's Avatar
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    Just out of curiousity, where can i get a disassembler?

  5. #5
    Just because ygfperson's Avatar
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    try softice

  6. #6
    Code Warrior
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    You get it right here.
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  7. #7
    Registered User Nutshell's Avatar
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    What's the name of it.

  8. #8
    Registered User Invincible's Avatar
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    Question

    Doesn't reverse-engineering break the EULA. Not that I care.
    "The mind, like a parachute, only functions when open."

  9. #9
    ¡Amo fútbol!
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    The biggest thing u need if u want to do that is a get-out-of-jail-free card cause it's illegal.

  10. #10
    Registered User Nutshell's Avatar
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    Is disassembling a program illegal?

  11. #11
    ¡Amo fútbol!
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    ones like windows are.

  12. #12
    Registered User Nutshell's Avatar
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    If it's freeware then it doesn't matter i suppose...

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    Ehh, it's probably still illegal, but then again, so is throwing things at old people, we don't let little laws like that get in our way, right?

    You have to ask yourself, are you going to get sued for this? Probably not, unless you're planning on making a Windows clone or something.

    As for how to reverse engineer... it just takes a lot of know-how, and a lot of time. I wouldn't suggest really trying to reverse engineer anything without trying to find the work of someone else who's already done it for you.

  14. #14
    Registered User Invincible's Avatar
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    Probably not, unless you're planning on making a Windows clone or something.
    What about in the case of Wine? If they really did reverse- engineer windows to write it, isn't that a case for a law suit?
    "The mind, like a parachute, only functions when open."

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