From: zuzu <sean.zuzu@...>
Date: 2004-07-10T06:53:57+09:00
Subject: Re: Secure Ruby Compiler

On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 04:28:54 +0900, tony summerfelt
<snowzone5@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 7 Jul 2004 17:32:46 +0900, you wrote:
> 
> >Randy Lawrence wrote:
> 
> >> One of the killer features lacking in most scripting languages is the
> >> ability to "compile" or sufficiently "obfuscate" scripts so they can be
> >> distributed for execution without revealing the original source code.

in my not so humble opinion, the killer feature of so-called
"scripting" languages (all programming languages are syntactic sugar)
is PRECISELY that the code is NOT obfuscated.  users have a right to
understand the code they are running.  copyright can still exist with
open-source software.  (and ironically, the GPL proves that most
people do not, in fact, steal licensed code.)  obfuscation is a tool
of oppression to secure a monopoly on an idea.  (even copyrights are
supposed to be TEMPORARY.)

> >> Is this possible with Ruby today?  If not, is this something planned for
> >> future versions?  Are there 3rd party tools that do this?

-z