Recover the source code of a .NET application
Your application works, but the source code was lost with the developer, a disk or a vendor. If you still have the executable and the .NET DLLs, in many cases we can reconstruct the business logic and leave you with a project you can compile, maintain and evolve.
What can (and cannot) be recovered
What is kept
Class and method structure, logic flow, database queries, service calls and configuration.
What is lost
Comments, some local variable names and the original code formatting.
What complicates it
Obfuscation, mixed native code or third-party dependencies without a licence.
What we deliver
A reconstructed project, the logic documented and tests that compare its behaviour with the original application.
Recovery process
Binary inventory
We identify executables, DLLs, the .NET version, dependencies, configuration files and associated databases.
Decompilation and analysis
With standard .NET decompilation tools we obtain the code and analyse it to understand what each module does.
Project reconstruction
We reorganise the code into a project that builds and runs, and clean it up until it is maintainable.
Verification
We compare the behaviour of the rebuilt version with the original application using the same input data.
Documentation
We write down the recovered business rules so you stop depending on the knowledge of a single person.
What you can do afterwards
Maintain the application
Fix bugs and add changes with the code back under your control.
Migrate to modern .NET
Update the platform once the code is recovered.
Integrate with other systems
Expose the logic through an API to connect it with your ERP or invoicing.
We only work on software you own or have the right to modify. Before starting we review ownership and licences with you. This is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to decompile an application?
It depends on who owns it, the licence and the purpose. If the application was developed for your company or you have the right to modify it, you usually can. We review it with you before starting; it does not replace a lawyer.
What do I need to get started?
The executable, the DLLs and the configuration files of the application, and if possible a copy of its database. With that we can make a first assessment.
Is the recovered code the same as the original?
Not exactly. We recover the logic and structure, not the comments nor always the original names. That is why we verify that the behaviour matches the application you already use.
What if the application is obfuscated?
It is more laborious and not always viable. We evaluate it in the assessment and tell you clearly whether it is worth it.
Related
Contact
Email: jmoreno@stellariscode.com · Phone: +34 654 51 63 65