Decompiler

What Does Decompiler Mean?

A decompiler is a programming tool that converts an executable program or low-level/machine language into a format understandable to software programmers. It performs theoperations of a compiler, which translates source code into an executable format, but in reverse. A decompiler’s recipient is a human user, whereas the compiler’s is the machine.

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Techopedia Explains Decompiler

A decompiler, like a disassembler, works via reverse engineering. The decompiler translates a compiled code or an executable file into high-level code.

A decompiler can be useful in some cases for the following purposes:

  • Recovery of lost source code to archive or maintain the code
  • Debugging programs
  • Antivirus capability to find vulnerabilities in the program
  • Interoperability to facilitate migration of a program across platforms
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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…