From: Mike Gold Date: 2008-09-24T08:17:53+09:00 Subject: Re: Protecting Ruby code rubyencoder.com: "The RubyEncoder protects Ruby scripts by compiling Ruby source code into a bytecode format and this is followed by encryption. This protects your scripts from reverse engineering. Ruby scripts protected with RubyEncoder can be executed but cannot be used to extract Ruby source code as there is no source code remaining within the protected script in any form." I do not see how this is possible, even in principle. Unless you have rewritten ruby in a *serious* way via redesigning the AST. The AST is buck-naked exposed in memory, flapping its genitals for all to see. And even if you did rewrite eval.c, (1) I would expect serious compatibility problems, and (2) your new AST could be reverse-engineered. That leaves you with code obfuscation -- renaming constants, variables, etc. Which is all fine and good. But that is all you have. But don't get me wrong -- your product may be useful. Obfuscation may suffice for the level of "protection" desired (not much, but perhaps sufficient). However the other claims being made on the website are not true, and could not be true even in principle. To summarize, if you knew that someone could extract the full ruby source from your rubyencoder'd application, minus nice variable and constant names, would be sorry that you paid 300 USD? And would you feel mislead by the advertising? -- Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.