Is it possible to convert a binary executable into its original code and other files?

user3158683 picture user3158683 · Feb 22, 2014 · Viewed 7k times · Source

Pretty much as the title asks. For example, if I took a Playstation disc, could a program be written that converts all the binary on the disk back into its original code files, art assets, etc? Isn't it just kidn of like decryption? If not, is it possible to make a language or add code to our current languages that would make future programs possible to convert backwards? Thanks!

Answer

Ankur Parihar picture Ankur Parihar · Nov 6, 2017

Let's take it easy.

Suppose you know that x^2 = 4, you cannot tell whether x was 2 or -2.

similarly is you have a binary executable or assembly code you cannot tell which language it was written in.

But you can convert binary file to assembly code. There are many good tools available for linux and windows both paid and free. They are called disassemblers. You can use them to see if what is a program doing and can even modify it in runtime.