[plug] RE: PERL query

[McMeikan, Andrew]

Hi Bret,
  I believe there is a command line option that can cause Perl to dump a
core image of itself after the compile stage, and that image can be
executed.  
  This would hide the code with two penalties.
	1. Big image file
	2. Not very Open Source (TM)
  benifits are a slightly increased start time (no compile stage) and
secretive code :)
If you want I can hunt down more details for you, but hopefully I have given
you a pointer to follow.

	cya,	Andrew

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Bret Busby [SMTP:bret at clearsol.iinet.net.au]
> Sent:	Tuesday, December 21, 1999 4:26 PM
> To:	plug
> Subject:	PERL query
> 
> Hello all.
> 
> I want to know whether PERL code that is used as a front end to a
> database, can
> be hidden from a client, or a client's systems administrator, when the
> application is stored and run on the client's machine.
> 
> I have been advised that PHP, being an interpretive language, cannot have
> its
> code hidden, so that a user, or another developer, can read, copy, and
> modify
> code, without the original developer being able to prevent this.
> 
> Can one (or more) of the PERL people on the mailing list, please clarify
> whether
> PERL code can be hidden on a client's system, from the client and
> therefore the
> client's sytems administrator, or anyone else, or whether the code can be
> compiled into a binary, so that the source code can only be accessed,
> read, and
> modified, by the original application developer?
> 
> I have had a look at the perl.org site, and tried the CPAN search, but,
> maybe
> because I know nothing much of PERL, I could not find anything useful that
> related to this issue.
> 
> The two PERL books that I have, have nothing about hiding source code; the
> "interactive training book" has as its only entry for hiding, hiding
> methods and
> variables, as part of object oriented programming and inheritance.
> 
> Constructive advice would be appreciated.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Bret Busby
> 
> Phone/Fax:    +61 8 9399 3820 ( 08 9399 3820 within Australia)
> 
> ........................................
>