James EdwardsSep 21, 2025

Say I had a Windows application, #cpp that runs inside the console, that does some inconceivably (to me) complex math on structured input data, then generates a corresponding output.

It’s mine but I didn’t write it, and don’t have the source code. But I do have an incredibly detailed article written by the author, that describes the math involved and optimisations to make it run, which I couldn’t begin to understand or explain.

What are the chances of finding someone to recreate it in #js ?

Show threadAndrew Steadman Sep 21, 2025
@siblingpastry shouldn't be an issue. The easiest path is likely to compile the cpp to wasm.
Show threadJames EdwardsSep 21, 2025
@steadmanticore I don’t have the source code though, only the compiled executable.
Show threadGaëtan Perrault

@siblingpastry @steadmanticore

There are lots of decompiler tools that extract "source code" from an executable. It's not always very readable, but that kind of doesn't matter if it's just going back into a WASM compiler.

It might not work, at which point you're contracting someone. But it could work. And it would bypass a lot of effort if it did.

My bigger worry, whether you contract or convert, is having test cases on hand to verify that the new thing works the same as the old thing.

Sep 21, 2025 at 4:09pmWeb
Show threadJames EdwardsSep 21, 2025
@gatesvp @steadmanticore I have loads of sample input and output data, and I can generate loads more as required. I’ve already prototyped an in-browser editor that can generate and pass it through an http API.