Is there a good obfuscater for Perl code?

Question

Does anyone know of a good code obsfucator for Perl? I\'m being ask to look into the option of obsfucating code before releasing it to a client. I know obsfucated code can s

Answer 1

As Ovid says, it's a contractual, social problem. If they change the code, they invalidate the warranty. Charge them a lot to fix that, but at the same time, give them a channel where they can suggest changes. Also, look at what they want to change and make that part of the configuration if you can. They have something they want to do, and until you satisfy that, they are going to keep trying to get around you.

In Mastering Perl, I talk a bit about defeating obfucators. Even if you do things like making nonsense variables names and the like, modules such as B::Deparse and B::Deobfuscate, along with Perl tools such as Perl::Tidy, make it pretty easy for the knowledgable and motivated person to get your source. You don't have to worry about the unknowledgable and unmotivated so much because they don't know what to do with the code anyway.

When I talk to managers about this, we go through the normal cost benefit analysis. There is all sorts of stuff you could do, but not much of it costs less than the benefit you get.

Good luck,