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.

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