subject: What stages are involved in reverse engineering process? [print this page] What stages are involved in reverse engineering process?
Reverse Engineering is method used for analysis of technology for ascertaining how it works or operates. The inquiry may be time consuming as it engages people in the complete process of relating the operations of the systems and products. As a process, reverse engineering is not just restricted to a specific purpose but mostly it is an essential part in the scientific and technological development method.
The processes involved in reverse engineering are time consuming and expensive, therefore people involved in the process generally consider the financial factor involved in such endeavors. They also take the risk of purchasing or licensing of information through the manufacturer about the original product into consideration.
There are four basic stages or phases followed by an engineer or researcher to reverse engineer a system, device or product:
1.Discovering the component or product that needs to be reverse engineered.
2.Disassembling or observing the information detailing how the original component operates.
3.Applying the technical information generated from the reverse engineering in a tailored version of the original.
4.Creating a new product in the market.
First Stage:
In this stage the product or component is identified completely and this stage is also sometimes known as prescreening. The potential components of these projects include parts, singular items, units, components, sub assemblies, etc.
Second Stage:
The second stage of reverse engineering is known as de-compilation or disassembly of the actual product. This stage consumes maximum amount of time and in this process the engineers makes an attempt to create a characterization of the system by collecting all technical instructions and data of how a product works. The product is completely broken down thus separating every unit complied into its basic state to understand the engineering principles used to construct it.
Third Stage:
In the third stage, the engineers make sure that the data collected from the disassembly of the original system is accurately reconstructed. They also verify the validity or accuracy of the designs by creating prototypes, testing the system and experimenting with the outcomes. This stage help in making sure that the reconstructed products works well and helps in creating more need for similar product in the market.
Fourth Stage:
The final or fourth stage of the reverse engineering involves the introduction of the reconstructed product in the market. The new product is created through innovative technology derived from the original product but designed with competitive capabilities and features. The reconstructed products can be an adaptation of the original product for its usage with other integrated systems like various platforms of computer operating systems.
Often various groups of reverse engineers perform every step involved in creation of an imitated product making use of only documents to exchange the details learned at every step. This is to avoid imitation of the original technology which may violate its copyrights.
Thus, there are these different stages involved in the process of Reverse Engineering.
