closed source

[Peter Hansen]

Milos Prudek wrote:
> 
> is it technically possible to distribute a python project as a closed
> source, i.e. encrypted?
> 
> I believe that *.pyc files do not work without *.py sources... and they can
> be easily decompiled.

Numerous (*many*) past discussions of this have occurred... check the archives.

Short answer: .pyc files work fine without .py files (for the record), but
yes they can be decompiled (using "decompyle", for example), and no it's
effectively not possible to do what you are asking, but note that it's 
also impossible with any other language either...

If you *really* need protection, you must run your protected source on your
own server and make the algorithms available across the network.  If you
don't want to do this route, your only other real choice is to accept a
greater risk that someone will see your source (heaven forbid!) and mitigate
that risk by having appropriate software licence agreements in place with
your customers.

-Peter