Use Obfuscation to Improve the Size, Performance, and Security of Your J2ME Applications

bfuscate. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, obfuscate is a transitive verb meaning to darken, to make obscure or to confuse. In the software engineering business, obfuscation refers to "the deliberate act of nondestructively changing either the source code of a computer program or machine code when the program is in some compiled or binary form, so that it is not easy to understand or read." Evidently, the author of this last definition must have seen some of my late-night code and decided that the adjective "deliberate" should be added to the definition lest someone mistake plain-old poor quality coding for obfuscated code. All kidding aside, obfuscation can be a serious tool in Java programming.

In J2ME, obfuscation can help protect applications that are deployed to millions of devices. Importantly, but often forgotten, obfuscation can also help developers with some other equally important issues—namely application size and performance.

It's quick, easy and you get access to all the articles on DevX.
This registration/login is to allow you to read articles on devx.com.
Already a member?

To become a member of DevX.com create your Member Profile by completing the form below.
Membership is free!

Already registered? Sign In

E-mail (User Name)

Create a Password

Re-enter Password

First Name

Last Name

Company

Company Size

Address

City

State/Province

Country

Postal Code/Zip

Job Function

Phone

Note: Extension number is optional, but may be included by adding an "x" before the extension number.

By registering you will also be signed up for the Enterprise Development Daily newsletter.
After registering you may choose to opt-out by clicking on the "Manage Profile" link.

Cancel

Use Obfuscation to Improve the Size, Performance, and Security of Your J2ME Applications

Are you working too hard to improve the footprint and performance of your J2ME application? Perhaps you have overlooked a readily available Java tool. Obfuscation may not only help you improve the size and performance of your application, it also gives you security over your intellectual property.