Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

A few reasons I can think of:

1. Collaborative.

2. supporting classified proprietary architectures (think missile chips or something)

3. The intermediate representation (architecture independent representation of code) can be integrated in to many other classified tools. Maybe for automated analysis for example.



4. Managing licenses is a huge PITA, presumably especially in environments with lots of classified information.


Good point... "we need a site license. No, I can't tell you for how many employees, that's classified. No, I can't tell you who we are, that's classified. No, I can't tell you what we are working on, that's classified. Hello? Hello? Darn they hung up again..."


When I worked for a hedge fund we had to deal with this sort of thing (not classified obviously, but wanted exemptions from certain things), but it was actually pretty easy to deal with. They just charge you more to get custom terms.


I think all three letter agencies create front companies for this kind of stuff?



Operational reasons? They found a compromisable worker was employed there, or they somehow put modifications in IDA making the software compromisable and so not safe for them?




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: