how to read a .class file

[cowsquad]

Well, I don't have the source for some app. I already decompiled the apk and decompiled the jar file. Now, my question is how do I edit the .class file? Is there any way to do that? Any help with links would be appreciated.
Thank you guys

[curmudgeon]

W... Now, my question is how do I edit the .class file? Is there any way to do that? ...

You don't. You make edits to the .java file obtained from decompilation and then compile that into a new .class file.

[cowsquad]

You don't. You make edits to the .java file obtained from decompilation and then compile that into a new .class file.

So i probably am decompiling the wrong because I don't get any .java file. Do you mind sharing a decompiler. I am using dex2jar right now

[helloworld922]

You don't. You make edits to the .java file obtained from decompilation and then compile that into a new .class file.

I agree with curmudgeon that you most likely don't want to do this. If you can get the source, edit that. If you can't, then there's probably a good reason for that and reverse-engineering/cracking the compiled .class files is not recommended.

[cowsquad]

I agree with curmudgeon that you most likely don't want to do this. If you can get the source, edit that. If you can't, then there's probably a good reason for that and reverse-engineering/cracking the compiled .class files is not recommended.

Of course I can get the source for it, it is and android app. So I will do that. I was just wondering possibilities.

[jps]

Of course I can get the source for it, it is and android app. So I will do that. I was just wondering possibilities.

Usually that process involves breaking a law, so beware what you decompile. You probably didn't get any .java files because the source was not packed. Which makes a flag stand out on the "might be illegal" category, but does not necessarily mean it is. You can turn the .class into .java with a different program but all non-keywords are not going to be so easy to understand without really knowing how to see what is there. If you can get the original .java files like they said above, that is the best option as the .java files are likely to have good variable/method/etc names, comments, and possibly even javadoc. You can get to the same point (access to functional source code) both ways, but .java files are the easiest as far as what you have to do.

[cowsquad]

Usually that process involves breaking a law, so beware what you decompile. You probably didn't get any .java files because the source was not packed. Which makes a flag stand out on the "might be illegal" category, but does not necessarily mean it is. You can turn the .class into .java with a different program but all non-keywords are not going to be so easy to understand without really knowing how to see what is there. If you can get the original .java files like they said above, that is the best option as the .java files are likely to have good variable/method/etc names, comments, and possibly even javadoc. You can get to the same point (access to functional source code) both ways, but .java files are the easiest as far as what you have to do.

I am not trying to break the law :-) I was trying to understand how reverse engineering really work. I decompile an apk that I have the source for it, and there are some methods that don't look alike .thank all of you for your kind and helpful answers :-)

[jps]

I am not trying to break the law :-)

Of course not. I am not accusing you, just so it was said.

I was trying to understand how reverse engineering really work.

Yes, for educational purposes. Learning is fun.

I decompile an apk that I have the source for it, and there are some methods that don't look alike .

Did you get it figured out?

thank all of you for your kind and helpful answers :-)

You are welcome.

[cowsquad]

Of course not. I am not accusing you, just so it was said.


Yes, for educational purposes. Learning is fun.


Did you get it figured out?


You are welcome.

I am trying to understand all this java thing, but having trouble understanding how to download source code from the web into my PC, and then editing that :-(

[jps]

What source code do you have? Post a sample or describe what exactly you have. What format it is in etc.
What do you mean by edit it? Post the code you have questions about editing.