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From: David Schwartz <davids@webmaster.com>
To: Jesse Pollard <pollard@tomcat.admin.navo.hpc.mil>,
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Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 19:32:38 -0800
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Subject: Re: Difficulties in interoperating with Windows
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>Reverse engineering is taking the published specifications, creating
>software that should function in an equivalent manner. Testing it is
>difficult since you have to be careful not to import patented/copyrighted
>algorithms. You have to compair the inputs/outputs for the software with the
>inputs/outputs of the original.

	No, developing a product to meet given specifications is the ordinary sort 
of forward engineering. Reverse engineering is when you attempt to determine 
the specifications by looking at, taking apart, or probing the final product.

	DS

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