Re: Bug#559134: ITP: shc -- a generic shell script compiler
On Wed, Dec 02 2009, Milan P. Stanic wrote:
> On Wed, 2009-12-02 at 15:58, Karl Goetz wrote:
>> On Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:58:17 +0100
>> "Dario Minnucci \(midget\)" <debian@midworld.net> wrote:
>> > * Package name : shc
>>
>> > shc's main purpose is to protect your shell scripts from
>> > modification or inspection. You can use it if you wish to
>> > distribute your scripts but don't want them to be easily
>> > readable by other people.
>> Does this mean its a tool to make software no longer DFSG compatible?
>> seems a bit odd to include in Debian.
>
> Then gcc (and other compilers) are at the odd with DFSG because they
> produce unreadable code for most people. (some can read machine code)
What this argument is missing is the point that the primary (and
stated) goal of gcc and the ilk is not obfuscation.
And the goal of obfuscation is not preventing tampering (since
one may still modify obfuscated code, just not as easily (access
control mechanisms do the non tampering bit)).
The goal of obfuscation seems to be to prevent people from
gaining knowledge; and obfuscation is pointless when the sources are
available, so it is facile to argue that the issues are orthogonal. So
there is some merit to the argument that this package is against the
spirit free software.
Having said that, I am not advocating blocking this package (nor
am I advocating accepting it), I am just commenting on the arguments
being presented here.
manoj
--
No matter how many reporters share a cab, and no matter who pays, each
puts the full fare on his own expense account. -- Edward P. O'Doyle
Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@debian.org> <http://www.debian.org/~srivasta/>
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