programming-for-dummies

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Dissecting Programs with a Disassembler
Programming languages, such as Java, C#, and Visual Basic.NET, get compiled
into bytecode format; therefore, a disassembler can reverse compile a bytecode
file into its original source code. So, if you compile a Java program into
bytecode format, a Java disassembler can convert the bytecode file into Java
source code. Likewise, if you compile a C# or Visual Basic.NET program, you
can disassemble that bytecode file into its original C# or Visual Basic.NET
source code.
To protect their bytecode files from disassemblers, programmers use
another program — an obfuscator. An obfuscator essentially scrambles a
bytecode file. The bytecode file can still run, but if others try to disassemble
an obfuscated bytecode file, they can’t retrieve the original source code.
If you use a programming language that compiles into bytecode (such as
Java, C#, or Visual Basic.NET), consider using an obfuscator to protect your
source code from prying eyes.
At the bare minimum, all you need is an editor (to write programs) and a
compiler (to convert your programs into executable files). However, most
programmers use a debugger, a help file creation program, and an installer.
Although most programmers are happy when they can get their program to
work, some programmers use a profiler to help them speed up and optimize
their program.
Finally, some programmers use disassemblers to peek inside the inner workings
of other programs, such as viruses or rival software. Disassemblers are
never necessary for creating a program, but they can prove useful for legal
and not so legal purposes.
The tools of a programmer are highly subjective. Some programmers swear by
certain tools, such as their favorite editor or compiler, whereas others are happily
with whatever tool is available. Just remember that programmer tools can
help you write faster and more reliable programs, but the best tool in the world
can never substitute for decent programming skill in the first place.