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Web code compression

Jun 5th 2003
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Can (x)HTML and JS code really be compressed/optimized/hidden today?

There are now several code obfuscation tools which will not really comprehensively “obscure” source code but somehow retrievably “crunch” it. This is not ideal but it is worthwhile nonetheless as it makes source sifting slow and painful for script kiddies/crackers. There are white space removers, JS code encryptors, some “code crushers”, but very few that are carefully tested and will working with html, css, and other more complex code like server side technologies and Javascript. Anyway, some of the tools I have tried with varying success (recommended tools are marked in red, and I’ll update this list if I come across more) are listed below — 

  • JavaScript
    Scrambler
    Light-weight white-space remover.
  • W3Compiler ***
    Something to keep an eye out for. Standard-aware, safe tool for code optimization that does selective compression/obfuscation.
  • JavaScript
    Crunchinator     ***
    Removes whitespace and comments from JavaScript files and combines
    literal strings. From BrainJar’s Mike Hall.
  • ESC (ECMAScript
    Cruncher)
    This free Windows program is an ECMAScript pre-processor written in
    JScript. In addition to removing whitespace and comments from
    JavaScript, it can optionally rename variables in JavaScript. For
    IE5.5+ Win. From Saltstorm.
  • JSCruncher
    Based on BrainJar’s specifications, this free Windows application
    packs CSS and JavaScript files. Requires semicolons. From the
    DOMAPI project by Darin Kadrioski.
  • SpaceAgent ***
    This powerful Windows/Mac web site optimizer optimizes (X)HTML,
    XML, JavaScript, GIFs, and JPEGs. Server version also available.
    From Insider Software, Inc.
  • VSE HTML Turbo
    Like SpaceAgent, this Mac application optimizes (X)HTML,
    JavaScript, GIFs, and JPEGs. From VSE Online.
  • Blue Clam
    A Java-based JavaScript obfuscator from Solmar Solutions. Supports
    recursive directory tree parsing, a user-defined keyword
    dictionary, variable length obfuscated keyword support, extended
    file types (such as .js, .jsp, and .asp) and a graphical
     environment.

  • ECMAScript Formatter
    Semantic Designs offers industrial strength source code obfuscation
    and optimization tools for JavaScript and other languages. The
    ECMAScript formatter can either format JavaScript applications into
    readable form, or it can conversely protect the source code against
    reverse engineering by removing structure, comments, and scrambling
    identifier names. For Windows.

  • JMyth
    Encrypts javascript source-code. Allows for enmasse encryption,
    multiple files at the same time.
  • Quek

    A browser-based surf/animate/chat application written in JavaScript
    from Q42, which employs home-grown
    obfuscator (interestingly coded). By Lon Boonen.
  • Dithered
    JavaScript Compression
    Chris Nott’s self-extracting archive creation tool.
  • Extended
    ASCII JavaScript Packer
    Substitutes single byte-token extended ASCII characters for longer
    strings for efficient packing of JavaScripts. By Chris
     Johnson.

Last but not the least, if you are interested in this subject, Andrew King’s website optimization book is quite a handy manual.




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4 Comments

  1. Jul 7th, 2003


    CodeHouse.com

    Please consider adding Safe Compress to your list. It is a JavaScript source code compression tool that removes all comments, white spaces, and other unnecessary characters from JavaScript.

  2. Nov 16th, 2003


    CoolKat

    some other info that may be useful http://www.webreference.com/authoring/languages/html/optimize/

  3. Nov 16th, 2003


    CoolKat

    and for web graphics also this one
    http://www.webreference.com/dev/graphics/

    you have a very cool website design, btw

  4. Jun 7th, 2007


    Nick

    Re: Technical support Optimized File source code
    Dear Sir / Madame
    I am trying to copy and paste [affiliate] web-pages from website sources into my website using site builder software.
    The difficulty I encounter with pasting source codes is:
    When I paste the website HTML source-code into site builder the ad text is paste [copied] but not the images they appear in mostly frames and crosses.
    Is your software solving [helping me out] this problem??
    Pasting website sources into ready to use HTML copy?
    If that’s so can I try out your software on a trial base?
    Regards
    Nick Jacobs

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