error recovery via decompile?

[terryw]

Today, while creating a new module, I opened an existing module's source code to use as a template, and ended up saving the new code before realizing I hadn't renamed the new file. So, of course, it saved over the old source code file. And I had neglected to backup the original file before starting this adventure (I know - cardinal sin for a programmer!). I have not yet recompiled the new module, so the compiled module is still from the original file, and I am wondering if there is a way to recover the original source file from the compiled module. It is a small module, containing only some global variable declarations, so I can recreate it (if I have to!) but I was hoping to not have to type it all in again. Any ideas?

[Steven_L_Intel1]

Not that I know of.

Steve

[terryw]

I knew that would be the answer, but I had to ask! I have now re-entered all the data from an old printout, then recompiled and noted which variables were missing from the old printout and added them back in. Not as tedious as I thought it would be, since I had the printout anyway. Oh, and I won't forget those backups now! Thanks.

[davinci]

Several "decompilers" exist, but all result in some obscure but correct assembler code.

Another solution for overwriting files is to avoid any filesaving and disc writing afterwards (impossible) and use a tool to capture lost non-consecutive file segments on non-file disk sections.
In other words:

Bad luck for you.

So if you lost a goldmine, keep your hands off from mouse and keyboard, don't shutdown your computer and call a data-recover-specialist (find his telephone number right now).

If it was just a silvermine, you still made a serious error.
Not a programmers one as you mentioned, but one any computer user should avoid.

What you didn't do:
- Automatic full-backups, daily or periodically
- If necessary, important intraday copies in between
- Have your backup procedure checked, are you able to recover any existing backup ?
- Backups removed from your building and store elsewhere

davinci