Should I encrypt my files before compilation?

If I create a Standalone application by means of MATLAB Compiler are my source codes (m-files) safety after compilation to .exe file or someone anyhow can get an access to m-files of the compilated product? Or should I make p-files from m-files before compilation to Standalone App?

Answer 1

[Robert Cumming]

No there is no need to encrypt your mfiles before compiling to an exe.

[Goryn]

Does it mean that nobody can take my m-files (from memory or somehow else) after running a compiled .exe? (just for being absolutely sure)

[Robert Cumming]

Its impossible to 100% stop someone with enough time, knowledge and effort (i.e. money) to reverse engineer an exe - but whether its pcode or mcode will make no difference in that situation.

For 99.9999% of the time simply compiling to exe will be enough. (I have no reference for that percentage - its just indicative....)

[Titus Edelhofer]

Hi Goryn, Robert is right: m or p doesn't make a difference here. The encryption of the files is fairly strong. You can increase the level of security (not to 100%!) by using some external encrypting/security program.

Answer 2

[David Leffingwell]

Using the MATLAB Compiler will encrypt your M files for you. You can also pcode them as well. If you have MATLAB R2022b or later, you can use the -j switch of the MATLAB Compiler to automatically P-code all your M files before they are encrypted and packaged.