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World of Shareware - Software Farm 2
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CPROG
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EMBED21.ZIP
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EMBEDTXT.DOC
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Text File
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1991-12-20
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6KB
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133 lines
Documentation for EMBEDTXT version 2.1
What is EMBEDTXT?
Embedtxt is a "C" programming technique for hiding text information
within your program in such a way as to make it more difficult for "hackers"
to alter it. Although Embedtxt is not fool-proof, it does provide a good
way of protecting your programs from the normal attempts made by those who
want to change your program, be it, copyright notices, configuration details,
or whatever.
How does EMBEDTXT work?
The typical way in which programmers display information (such as a copy-
right notice) is to use some form of the printf function. The problem with
this method is that after you have compiled your program, this information
is stored with the rest of your text information in the data segment of your
program (typically at the bottom). Anyone who has access and knowledge of
programs such as the Norton Utilities can easily find, display, and modify
this information very quickly. The main reason is that this information is
stored as literal text strings, and are easy to spot in the executable.
After some tinkering, I found that if you store the the information we're
talking about in a hex formatted structure, the string appears as a series of
dots (".") in the executable, and thus, it is harder to find.
Now this is all fine and well, but to go and manually convert all the
characters in a string to hex, and then load them into a structure, is quite
a headache to say the least. So I've developed this little program to do it
for you.
Why does EMBEDTXT exist?
Well, it kinda' happened like this. Early in November 91 I was laid off
from my job (the price you pay these days as an Engineer for military stuff),
so I decided to take some time off (what else was I gonna' do?) and write a
serious marketable application for, you guessed it, ENGINEERS. In the process
of writing the application, I noticed my copyright notice, config. stuff, and
other important stuff could be easily spotted in the executable. Needless to
say, I immediately realized what could happen if this information were changed
without my knowledge. The setup information would not only wreak havoc, but
the integrity of my program would be compromised, so I set out to do something
about it. WAH LA! You now have in your hands the fruit of my labor.
What do you have to do to make EMBEDTXT work?
All you need to do is put the information you want to embed into a text
file and EMBEDTXT.EXE will do the rest.
What exactly will EMBEDTXT do with my file?
EMBEDTXT will create a file called EMBED.DAT that will contain all the C
code necessary to include into your source code. Next, EMBEDTXT will optionally
create a sample program with your information so you can compile it for yourself
and see that it does indeed work as advertised. Once this file has been created,
you can compile it with pretty much any C compiler and watch it work. The sample
program will be called SAMPLE.C (you don't have a choice on this).
Sound simple enough?
What is the syntax for EMBEDTXT?
Usage: EMBEDTXT your-text-file [N]
Where: - your-text-file is the file that contains the information you
wish to embed.
- The option [N] stands for NO, do not create a sample program
listing, just make EMBED.DAT. (Technically speaking, if "argc"
is greater than 2, EMBEDTXT will not create a sample file)
How much are you asking to use EMBEDTXT?
Absolutely nothing!!! This program is free! However, there are no guaran-
tees whatsoever concerning it's function or usefulness.
Is EMBEDTXT public domain?
NO! EMBEDTXT is copyrighted by myself (Leonard Broughton), and therefore
cannot be claimed as your own personal intellectual property. You are free
to use this program unconditionally, and distribute it in any way you see
fit, provided that this documentation (EMBEDTXT.DOC) must accompany the
executable program (EMBEDTXT.EXE) whenever it is shared or copied.
So now what?
Basically you have 3 options:
1. Do nothing, use the program without any reservations.
2. Send me a postcard that simply has the word EMBEDTXT on the back. I'm
interested in knowing how far this program will travel in the BBS world,
and don't worry if you're only 2 miles away from where I live, I'd still
like to get a postcard anyway. Hey, you're only talking about 5 minutes
of time and a stamp. I've already made the initiative by providing this
program, the least you could do is ackowledge that this program was of
some use to you.
3. You could be a nice Guy/Gal and post this program on a BBS other than
the one you obtained it from just to keep the thing moving.
Is there anything else I should know?
Yes, if for some reason you would like the source code to EMBEDTXT.EXE, I
will provide it to you for $15.00. It's not that I think this is such an awesome
program that the world is going to beat a path to my door to get this thing,
but I thought I'd at least keep the option open for those who are interested.
Send U.S. currency to the address listed below. Checks are fine, but I'd
prefer cash (I hate waiting in line at the bank).
And last but not least, I should mention that I have some reservations
about the solution I've discovered via EMBEDTXT. For some reason I feel
that this program is not clean or tricky enough, in some ways it smells like
a kludge to me, but if you've come accross a better solution for this problem,
I would definately be interested in hearing about it.
I should also mention for those who suffer from VIRANOIA (Virus Paranoia),
that I guarantee this program as originally sent by myself to any BBS is 100%
virus free. I've often wondered that if someone is clever enough to write a
virus to begin with, then why don't they use their talents in a more pro-
fitable way and leave the rest of us alone. Is mental masturbation and the
waste of innocent people's time and money all they have to live for?
Thanks for taking the time to download this file. I hope you find it
useful in whatever you find it useful for. (Now there's a mouth full)
Send all inquiries to:
Leonard Broughton
3031 Camarillo Ave.
Oceanside, Cal. 92056
P.S.
If you put a slinky on an escalator, will it go anywhere? Think about it!