>>>>>>Since version 5, Visual Basic can compile to 'native code'. This means, that the code generated is directly executed by the processor, instead of been interpreted by a runtime library.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>When compiled to 'native code' it is almost imposible that a decompiler can get the original source code; the most it can get is assembly language.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>So you should not worry that your program will be decompiled.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I have been using Refox for encrypting FPW2.6 and VFP code. It works very well.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I just read about a product that creates compiled *.ASP code.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>That made me wonder if there exists a product similar to Refox but for Visual Basic 6.0. I am a contractor in the DFW area and VB is used everywhere but VFP very little - so I follow the flow.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Anyhow, I also distribute a FPW2.6 product, NJ5J.IRS.PC.Log, at my web site
http://www.nj5j.com and it is encrypted with Refox to prevent theft of source code (I also use other techinques within the software) and I am now looking at developing a product using VB6 since the product will be non-data-intensive.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>So, does a product exist for VB 6.0 similar to Refox?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Thanks in advance.
>>>>>Ramon, thanks for the reply. I guess I am confused/concerned because on page 831 of the VB Programmer's Guide it lists the following files that are classified as runtime files and must be distributed:
>>>>> msvbbm60.dll, stdole2.tlb, oleaut32.dll, olepro32.dll, comcat.dll,
>>>>> asyncfilt.dll, ctl3d32.dll.
>>>>>This led me to believe that the exe compiled out of VB 6 WOULD be able to be decompiled; however, I am new to VB6 so I may be wrong.
>>>>>
>>>>>Thanks again for your input.
>>>>>Carl
>>>>
>>>>Just search the web for "VB DECOMPILER". That should turn up a ton of hits for decompilers.
>>>
>>>There is a decompiler from DoDi for VB 3.0 (most of the hits).
>>>I have yet to find a decompiler for VB 5, VB 6 (don't think I will).
>>
>>Here's a URL that SAYS it does VB5:
>>
http://www.support.ems.ru/~gold/vb5/index.html>>
>>Don't use VB, so I really don't care!
>
>This page doesn't explain what it really does: Get some resources (Forms, modules names) that are inside the VB executable. It doesn't get any source code.
>
>I don't say it is imposible to get the source from a VB 5, VB 6 executable (native code), but it will be as difficult as decompiling a Visual C++ executable.
I would agree that it would be difficult, that at best it could probably come up with "assembly language" version only. Now, with all the optimizations that compilers can do nowadays, just how would you really go back from that to source code of any higher level language? I'm sure it's possible, but not immediately obvious to me. But I don't think that VB5/6 is truly "compiled" code anyways, but I could be wrong about that. I've never had the need (or desire!) to investigate it much.
