Re: How to prevent My AppleSoft Basic Program Listing

[Steve Nickolas <usotsuki@buric.co>]

On Mon, 31 Dec 2012, Paul Hagstrom wrote:

> Using an Applesoft compiler, if you can get it to work, is the only real way 
> to obscure the code.  As far as I know, no decompilers exist.  One thing you 
> could possibly do is to follow the "AppleLock" procedure except instead of 
> putting in a taunt like "You can't list this!" put in something that just 
> looks like "CALL 4864" (or something like that -- though that is completely 
> off the top of my head, my recollection is that this is what 
> Einstein-compiled programs look like).  So, then, somebody who knows a little 
> bit and is not particularly motivated might conclude that this WAS 
> Einstein-compiled and therefore unlistable and would not pursue it further.

An ASM wrapper around the program, which sets its run address, lomem and 
himem, and engages protected mode - this, followed by a self-extracting 
wrapper like Exomizer, can be somewhat effective (though certainly not 
perfect!).  Poking in "10 REM^M^DFP" (where ^M is a Return and ^D is 
Ctrl-D) may help too.  These are not beginner techniques and require some 
6502 knowledge, as well as knowledge of how Applesoft works under the 
hood.

-uso.