Using %alien.r and %alienexp.r
Source code originally by Unknown Usage document written by Brian Tiffin, Library Team apprentice 24-Apr-2007
Contents:
1. Introduction to %alien.r and %alienexp.r
2. Reading more important than using
2.1 No worries
2.2 If you "got it" on first read.
3. Using %alien.r
3.1 Right out the library
1. Introduction to %alien.r and %alienexp.r
These two programs go hand in hand. The first, %alien.r is the
obfuscated version of the (not much) clearer and easier to read
%alienexp.r.
| Obfuscate | make obscure or unclear.
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Even the explanatory %alienexp.r is for advanced readers.
2. Reading more important than using
These two library scripts are important learning by example entries.
As a beginner, the %alien.r source code is quite complicated and is
better left as a thing to be revisited every once and a while as you learn
more about REBOL programming.
When you get to a day where you can mentally apply the secret decoder ring
to the %alien.r source code, you will no longer need the assistance
of this apprentice in figuring out the scripts in the rebol.org
repository.
When you get to a day when you can read through the %alienexp.r script,
you will be well on your way to being a REBOL coder extrordinaire. Don't get
stuck on it. Give these scripts a browse, note the weirdness and carry on with
others.
2.1 No worries
Do not let any lack of understanding of these two scripts discourage your use
of REBOL. Use them more as a shiny light at the end of a tunnel. A goal to be
pursued, with the prize being understanding.
These two scripts are puzzles that even experts would find difficult, if not
impossible, without reference to the secret decoder ring.
2.2 If you "got it" on first read.
If you did happen to understand the %alien.r source on the first read
through, then you should dig right in and contribute to the REBOL community.
You have a gift that few possess, and your contributions will be accepted with
open arms by the few, the strong, the brave, that call REBOL ... home.
3. Using %alien.r
Seeing as this is a usage document, I should at least mention the usage.
From a REBOL console prompt, a simple
>>do %alien.r
will suffice to get the secret message.
3.1 Right out the library
REBOL being the powerful tool that it is, allows script execution right
over the wire. The people at rebol.org have been kind enough to
provide access to the scripts, through hypertext, with a set of REBOL
programs. One of these programs is %download-a-script.r.
Again from a REBOL console prompt, you can type
>>do http://www.rebol.org/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/rebol/download-a-script.r?script-name=alienexp.r
and get the secret message without having a local copy of the source code.
Note how the output from %alien.r is identical to %alienexp.r.
Such is the nature of secret decoder rings.
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