Obfuscated code

Obfuscated code is source code that is (perhaps intentionally) very hard to read and understand. Some languages are more prone to obfuscation than others. C programming language, C plus plus and Perl programming language are most often cited as easily obfuscatable languages. Macro preprocessors are often used to create hard to read code by masking the standard language syntax and grammar from the main body of code. The term shrouded code has also been used.

There are also programs known as Obfuscating software that may operate on source code, object code, or both, for the purpose of deterring reverse engineering.

= Recreational obfuscation =

Code is sometimes obfuscated deliberately for recreational purposes. There are programming contests which reward the most creatively obfuscated code: the International Obfuscated C Code Contest, Obfuscated Perl contest, International Obfuscated Ruby Code Contest and Obfuscated PostScript Contest.

There are many varieties of interesting obfuscations ranging from simple keyword substitution, use/non-use of whitespace to create artistic effects, to clever self-generating or heavily compressed programs.

Short obfuscated Perl programming language programs printing Just another Perl hacker or something like that are often found in signature of Perl programmers.

== Examples ==

Take this infamous example from Internet lore:

#include main(t,_,a)char *a;{return!0