package with App and deploy

Hello, I have a quick question. Is there a difference between packing your code via app packaging and create a executable deployment. My main concern is actually IP protection. I know that when you create executable Matlab encrypts your code so user can not access your source codes. Does App packaging do the same thing?

Thanks Erdem

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

app packaging does no protection at all. Think of it as being like pkzip .

Note: creating an executable still leaves a lot of traces behind that can be found with appropriate debuggers. For example the names of the routines can be rather revealing.

Someone was able to write a tool to decompile pcode; see https://sites.google.com/site/sippeyfunlabs/matlab-hacks/please-do-not-secure-your-password-in-matlab-p-code . This is not the same as the encrypted CTF archives, but it does show that security is difficult in MATLAB and sufficiently motivated users might be able to extract more information than you might wish.