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c#c++decompiling

Decompile C# vs C++


I have read many posts about decompiling (though no experience) but did not understand why all of them generally mentioned that it is easier to decompile C# than C++ executable. Could anyone explain the difference?


Solution

  • C# compiles into CIL, not directly into a native code like a C++ compiler would normally do.

    It produces a .NET assembly, which contains much more meta data than a C++ executable does (via the embedded manifest) - this is metadata about the types contained in the assembly, what it references and more, making it much easier to decompile than a "normal" executable.

    As noted in the comments, CIL in and of itself is a higher level language than assembly and is an object oriented language, making it easier to understand and decompile correctly.