PRB: Encrypted EXE Larger In Size After Compression

• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, version 2.6a

SYMPTOMS

After using SetupWizard to compress an executable built with encryption, you discover that the compressed file (.EX$ file) is actually larger in physical size than its original size as an ,EXE file.

CAUSE

Because the file is encrypted, the compression algorithm used by SetupWizard fails to find repeated characters to encode, so it cannot compress the encrypted file.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Use an existing Project such as ORGANIZE.PJX in the \SAMPLE\ORGANIZE directory under the main FoxPro directory or create a new simple Project for testing purposes.

2. Build the Project into an Executable with encryption. To do this, choose options from the Project menu, and in the resulting dialog screen, select the Encrypt Code check box.

3. For testing purposes only, place this encrypted .EXE file in an empty directory along with the FOXW2600.ESL Support Library file.

4. Run the SetupWizard application (SETUP.APP) in the DKWIZARD directory under the main FoxPro directory. Specify a different directory for the compressed files. SetupWizard will create this directory for you.

5. After SetupWizard has finished, compare the file size of the .EX$ to the .EXE file, and note that the .EX$ file is larger.