Decompilation is a ProgramTransformation by which a high-level source code for an executable program is discovered. Decompilation is the inverse of ProgramCompilation.

Decompilation techniques were initially used in the 1960s to aid in the migration of programs from one platform to another. Since then, decompilation techniques have been used to aid in the recovery of lost source code, debugging of programs, locating of viruses, comprehending programs, recovery of high-level views of programs, and more; see WhyDecompilation.

Introduction

• The LegalityOfDecompilation and legal issues of reverse engineering
• Is it possible?
• Why Decompilation?
• History Of Decompilation 1 (1960-1979)
• History Of Decompilation 2 (1980-1999)
• History Of Decompilation 3 (2000-present)
• The Decompilation Process
• Decompilation And Reverse Engineering

Decompilers

Decompilers are categorised by the types of programs that they will decompile. A decompiler might not emit code in the same language that the original program was written in.

• Machine code
• Assembly language
• Delphi
• Visual Basic
• Java bytecodes
• .NET bytecodes
• Python bytecodes
• Foxbase/FoxPro
• Specific compiler generated programs

Services offered and wanted

• Companies Offering Decompilation Services
• Decompilation Help Wanted
• I want an Automatic Decompiler

Related Areas

• Disassembly
• Binary Translation
• Program Obfuscation
• Tamper Resistant Software

Theory

• Machine code patterns that are Impossible To Decompile automatically

Recently changed pages

• A refutation of Bob Stout's FAQ on decompilation
• LegalityOfDecompilation (MGM v Grokster)
• History Of Decompilation 3

Other

• DecompilationResources (peripherally related)
• For a site map, see CategoryDecompilation
• Referencing these pages
• About these pages

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CategoryDecompilation | CategoryReverseEngineering | CategoryEntryPoint