topic Re: Is there a way to pack/encrypt built-in GDL Objects? in GDL

Is there a way to pack/encrypt built-in GDL Objects?

Anonymous — Tue, 23 May 2023 14:39:48 GMT

Hello there,

I am developing an Add-on with built-in GDL Objects in its resources. I am registering and loading these Objects with ACAPI_Register_BuiltInLibrary function.

Is there a way to pack or encrypt these GDL Objects, so no one should be able to extract GDL code from my Add-on?

Thanks for your time!

Re: Is there a way to pack/encrypt built-in GDL Objects?

Ralph Wessel — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:01:29 GMT

EzPresso wrote:
Is there a way to pack or encrypt these GDL Objects, so no one should be able to extract GDL code from my Add-on?

Yes, GDL objects can be bundled in the add-on as a 'FILE' resource. However, don't look on this as a protection mechanism. There is no way to prevent anyone but the most naive user from extracting the code from a GDL object, whether it's bundled in an add-on or not.

Re: Is there a way to pack/encrypt built-in GDL Objects?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:42:02 GMT

Yes, GDL objects can be bundled in the add-on as a 'FILE' resource.

That's what I do (and it is mentioned in the original question). Is it possible to put a compressed GDL object (.pla, etc) in the FILE resource and load them in Add-On?

Re: Is there a way to pack/encrypt built-in GDL Objects?

Ralph Wessel — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:58:43 GMT

EzPresso wrote:
Is it possible to put a compressed GDL object (.pla, etc) in the FILE resource and load them in Add-On?

Yes, any file can be imbedded as a FILE resource and read by the add-on, although the functions to read the resource are not part of the ArchiCAD API. Use the host OS API instead.

Re: Is there a way to pack/encrypt built-in GDL Objects?

Akos Somorjai — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:22:59 GMT

Ralph wrote:
although the functions to read the resource are not part of the ArchiCAD API

See RS.hpp in GSRoot

Best, Akos