How to protect my source code ~~

[Boki]

Hi All,
I have to release code to customer for future modification.

BUT, I Really don't like to do this.

I can use proguard to protect .jar, but right now, I have to release .java
code.

How can I protect my code?

convert to class ? how to do that ... could you please advice ( I don't know
anything about ) , I have to release code after 12 hours ....

Thank you very much!!

Best regards,
Boki.

 

[Boki]

please advice how to do something like DLL in C

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Best regards,
Boki.

 

[Daniel Dyer]

Hi All,
I have to release code to customer for future modification.

BUT, I Really don't like to do this.

I can use proguard to protect .jar, but right now, I have to release
.java
code.

How can I protect my code?

There's not really a technical solution. If you make the code unreadable
then it won't be suitable for what they want. You need to get them to
sign some sort of licence agreement or non-disclosure agreement.

Dan.

 

[Chris Uppal]

I have to release code to customer for future modification.

Then the customer expects to get readable, clear, maintainable code, I imagine.
If that's the case then you should give them what they've paid for (or return
their money).

BUT, I Really don't like to do this.

I can use proguard to protect .jar, but right now, I have to release .java
code.

There are source-code obfuscators. I don't know whether there are any for
Java, and given your time constraints you may not have time to find one. One
option would be to compile your code, push the resulting classfiles through an
obfuscator (such as progard), and then use JAD to turn it back into Java.

And then spend /every minute/ of the remaining 12 hours testing like crazy,
because even if the customer is willing to accept "protected" source code, they
will sue the pants off you if they find that the source-code you provide
doesn't work...

-- chris

 

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

I have to release code to customer for future modification.

BUT, I Really don't like to do this.

I can use proguard to protect .jar, but right now, I have to release .java
code.

How can I protect my code?

convert to class ? how to do that ... could you please advice ( I don't
know anything about ) , I have to release code after 12 hours ....

If I understood you right,
a) you have to give your code to customer, so that he can modify it,
b) but you want to protect it, so that he can't access it (=> can't
modify)

I see in this task a small contradiction.

May be you should do it like 007 - first give him code, and then kill him
;-)

 

[Benji]

please advice how to do something like DLL in C

....that would be a jar file. do you have to release the *code*, or just
the binaries? As long as you use an obfuscator on the classes, it will
be unreadable.

 

[Boki]

In fact, they are not our customer but co-operation company, they provide
image sensor chip and tech, we provide wirless part, we are going to a new
product on phone, right now, I am the only one who can control these code,
and I learn it by myself, I despise someone always say "the java code is
short and nothing special, I don't think that is important to share your
code to them or not" , what the shit, I think the most wanted is the shit
guy...

can I pack my code to class for them use?

 

[Boki]

ya, I have used proguard to compile jar, it is ok, but now, I have to
release source code, I want to release something like DLL, please help
me....


Best regards,
Boki.

 

[Boki]

This is not official release, so I really = =!! this.

 

[Daniel Dyer]

A DLL is compiled code, not source code. Do you mean that you want to
give them a library with documentation on how to use it, rather than
source? If so, jut generate some Javadoc to go with the JAR.

ya, I have used proguard to compile jar, it is ok, but now, I have to
release source code, I want to release something like DLL, please help
me....


Best regards,
Boki.

 

[Boki]

In fact, they just want to know how to develop wireless code on phone.

I think they have the ability to study j2me, but I just don't like to share
such a knowledge without any cost, and I think someone is too stupid to
understand how j2me/wireless code work/develop on phone.

Very disgustedly! I learn nothing from them but I always pay something for
them

what the shit !

I really want to quit after my contract is expired.

 

[Boki]

How?

I know how to generate jar, but, can they use the jar directly?

I think they still need to develop/modify some codes...

Best regards,
Boki.

A DLL is compiled code, not source code. Do you mean that you want to
give them a library with documentation on how to use it, rather than
source? If so, jut generate some Javadoc to go with the JAR.

 

[Jeffrey Schwab]

ya, I have used proguard to compile jar, it is ok, but now, I have to
release source code, I want to release something like DLL, please help
me....

A DLL is normall binary object file, conceptually similar to a jar. It
does not normally contain source code.

 

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

In fact, they are not our customer but co-operation company, they provide

image sensor chip and tech, we provide wirless part, we are going to a new
product on phone, right now, I am the only one who can control these code,
and I learn it by myself, I despise someone always say "the java code is
short and nothing special, I don't think that is important to share your
code to them or not" , what the shit, I think the most wanted is the shit
guy...

can I pack my code to class for them use?

no.
You can just refuse (i.e. don't give source code) or read this essay:
http://mindprod.com/jgloss/unmain.html

 

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

In fact, they just want to know how to develop wireless code on phone.

I think they have the ability to study j2me, but I just don't like to
share such a knowledge without any cost, and I think someone is too stupid
to understand how j2me/wireless code work/develop on phone.

Very disgustedly! I learn nothing from them but I always pay something for
them

I think you should give them 2 things
1) jar
2) javadoc

this is enough to use your library without knowing source code.

 

[Boki]

I knew that, thanks......

A DLL is normall binary object file, conceptually similar to a jar. It
does not normally contain source code.

 

[Eric Sosman]

Boki wrote On 11/03/05 12:54,:

In fact, they just want to know how to develop wireless code on phone.

I think they have the ability to study j2me, but I just don't like to share
such a knowledge without any cost, and I think someone is too stupid to
understand how j2me/wireless code work/develop on phone.

Very disgustedly! I learn nothing from them but I always pay something for
them

what the shit !

I really want to quit after my contract is expired.

Ah -- there's a contract? You entered into a contract
to develop this code for them? Then it's quite unlikely
that this is, in fact, "your" code; it probably belongs to
them and not to you.

Of course, contracts can be written with any provisions
that both parties agree to (and aren't illegal), and it's
possible that your customer (not really a "customer" but a
"contracting party") signed a contract that allows them
to watch you at your work for amusement value but keep none
of what you produce. I find that hard to imagine, but I
suppose it might be possible.

However, if the contract requires you to deliver the
source code for what you produce, you are obligated to
deliver it. If you're trying to deliver it in a form that
makes it unusable for the normal purposes of source code,
you may be trying to evade the contractual provisions you
agreed to. I suggest you read your contract with great
care before risking legal action -- I'm no lawyer, but my
layman's understanding is that practically every jurisdiction
in the world looks on breach of contract as a serious matter.

Also consider the effect on your future contracting
prospects if word gets around -- correctly or not -- that
you have a tendency to go back on your word ...

 

[Boki]

The contract is about me and my employer....I am really sorry, and thank you
for your detail description, I think it is useful.

 

[Boki]

I never combine two jar files...
any description / website here ?

 

[Daniel Dyer]

The contract is about me and my employer....I am really sorry, and thank
you
for your detail description, I think it is useful.

In that case the code probably belongs to your employer, and if they are
obligated to (or just want to) give the source code to the customer, then
you will have very little say in the matter (they compensate you for
giving up your rights to the code by paying your wages).

Dan.