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[REBOL] Compiler for Rebol ? Re:(3)

From: joel:neely:fedex at: 23-Sep-2000 23:54

Hi, Jochen! [jsc--dataheaven--de] wrote:
> I think CodeSecurity through compiling is nonsense. >
Bit harsh. Not nonsense, just not a perfect solution against a well-equipped, knowledgeable attacker.
> You should compile something to make it running faster...
Agreed that this is another advantage.
> ... not to make sure nobody can read your secrets. >
How about, "To make it difficult enough that fewer will do so, and to reduce the risk of alterations (accidental or otherwise) of the source which can create stability/support problems."
> If someone really is interested in your code - a compiler doesn't > protect you. >
If that someone is sufficiently skilled and has sufficient resources and time, agreed. But not everyone fits those criteria.
> Open Source is a important quality-characteristic... >
Open source development (if properly managed) is certainly an effective process for producing high-quality code. Even the Forrester group agrees with that (much to my amazement!)
> If I charge a software-team to develop a special software for me, > I certainly want the source too! Such a software will cost me > ~ 100$ per man-hour!!! >
And if you're paying them to develop custom software for you, it is certainly reasonable for you to establish as a condition of the contract that you get the source (or at least have access to it in the event of a failure on their part). However, there's more to the software market than bright people such as yourself contracting with high-priced developers for the construction of custom code. BOTTOM LINE: As has been pointed out in the recent "40 platforms" thread, there's a real marketplace out there. While Carl and company would be within their legal/moral/whatever rights to stop supplying REBOL for w95/98/nt/2k (just to use a hypothetical and totally unlikely example ;-), I'd consider that an impractical decision if the goal is to get REBOL widely adopted. Similarly, although I applaud/appreciate the legions of excellent developers who contribute to the open source movement, and am a grateful beneficiary of their labors, I question the practicality of refusing to address the concerns of developers who wish to have some other means of distribution than pure source code -- for a variety of reasons. -jn-