I have one C++ source file that is part of a larger project, which contains an algorithm that I'd rather not be viewable. Does anyone know of a good obfuscator tool for C++? I'd prefer one that uses macros to encrypt the source, but anything that makes it a big pain to figure out what the code does would be sufficient.

Compile it into a static library

I could but it makes life rather difficult. Ideally, I would just like the source to this one file (one function really) to be difficult to understand.

What's the point? (Seriously?)

Cas :)

What's the point? (Seriously?)

Totally. Do you want to open-source something, but not quite everything ? Do you want other coders to work on your code but not this file ? Obfuscating it will simply cause people to curse your name until you die. :)

We already have an agreement that this part of the source is not meant to be readable (200 lines in a 15 000 line project) and is only being released for the sake of allowing the thing to compile, so being cursed is not an issue. I might just go with the .lib, but that makes compilation more complicated for the other party and isn't nearly as fun.

I am actually open sourcing something else, and I'm going out of my way to make that code as readable to others as possible. :)

What's so special about this 200 lines of code that means that you want to make it a tiny bit harder to understand?

Cas :)

People just LOVE secrets ;) It contains an algorithm that only I'm supposed to know, and which only has to be cryptic enough so that someone with only basic knowledge in C++ cannot figure out in any reasonable length of time. I'd rather the protection not make the code any harder to use, meaning that keeping it as a C++ file is preferable to a library.

I'm just going to obfuscate it myself though, it turning out to be very fun.

Could this secret be that you're trying to hide a chunk of patented code you've robbed and you don't want anyone to know? ;)

Not unless they patented the for loop! It's not the algo itself, it's the numbers used in it :P

Well, there's the Freeware C/C++ Sourcecode Obfuscator (http://home.arcor.de/bernhard.baier/cobf/)

I've never used it though. My C++ is naturally obfuscated already.

You know, there are people charging $1000's for professional obfuscators.

Originally posted by Lizardsoft
People just LOVE secrets ;) It contains an algorithm that only I'm supposed to know, and which only has to be cryptic enough so that someone with only basic knowledge in C++ cannot figure out in any reasonable length of time.[...]

Hm... most likely it isn't usefull to know the inner working exactly. I mean... the code is there and you could also just run that piece in a small brute force loop.

Let's say it's copy protection. If it's just put in a loop you can try a million keys per second until you find a working one.

There is no need to use your brain if you can solve the problem by throwing some cpu power at it.

Originally posted by Wayward
Well, there's the Freeware C/C++ Sourcecode Obfuscator (http://home.arcor.de/bernhard.baier/cobf/)

I've never used it though. My C++ is naturally obfuscated already.

You know, there are people charging $1000's for professional obfuscators.

Beautiful, thank you very much :D This combined with a few modifications of my own will work just fine. It's just a precaution really, sort of like living in a nice neighbourhood but still locking the door to your car when leaving it in your driveway. Most likely nothing will happen, but it helps deter casual break-in.

Go on, what's it do then this algorithm? We're all itching to find out why it's so secret now!

Cas :)

I'm pretty sure that Mircosoft holds the patent for "security through obscurity".

Well, you've been warned ;)

Well, now we all wait for him to release his source code and then make a competition - who's going to be first to find out what the obfuscated code does :-)

This reminds me of a job interview I had where one of the questions was: what does this do ? (C code):
a ^= b ^= a ^= b;
:)

Originally posted by MirekCz
Well, now we all wait for him to release his source code and then make a competition - who's going to be first to find out what the obfuscated code does :-)

No, this is not being released publically, if that happened I would be in a lot of trouble :p

This stuff gets compiled into machine code anyway, which isn't all that difficult to decipher either. If I had reason to believe that there may be a malicious attempt to get that code figured out, I would be here asking about how to create encrypted binaries. It's just a precautionary measure, meant to make deciphering the code unappealing.