Reverse engineering works backward from observable behavior, interfaces or implementation evidence toward an explanation of a system's design. In software, it can support interoperability, maintenance and the reconstruction of undocumented behavior.
An AI coding model can help interpret evidence or propose a reimplementation, but incomplete observations can produce a misleading picture. Technical feasibility does not settle legal permissions, licensing or whether a reconstruction faithfully matches the original.
ELI5
Reverse engineering means figuring out how something was made by carefully examining what already exists. It is different from designing a system from a blank page.
For example, a programmer might study how an old file format behaves so a new program can read the files. Matching a few examples is not enough to know that every file will work.
Is reverse engineering simply copying code?
No. It can infer behavior or interfaces without copying source code, although methods and permitted uses vary.
Can an AI model reverse-engineer a system by itself?
It can assist with analysis and reconstruction, but its conclusions need evidence and testing against the actual system.
