# uniq-reconstruction: rebuilding GNU uniq from behavioral probes

> uniq-reconstruction rebuilds GNU coreutils 9.7 uniq in C from black-box observations of a stripped ELF executable. The author records 51 probes covering flags, grouping, delimiters and error behavior, then implements argument parsing and stream processing. The author reports that the candidate passed all 43 comparison tests for output, exit code, stderr and file effects.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Binary
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-06
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-08
- Original resource: <https://github.com/daedalus/uniq-reconstruction>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/daedalus/uniq-reconstruction/blob/a1f1c181f3e3dd2c55fb590f9f9956a31d2ca47e/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/uniq-reconstruction-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/uniq-reconstruction-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/uniq-reconstruction-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** GNU coreutils 9.7 uniq is the reference program used in the documented probes.
- **Prerequisites:** gcc is used to build the C candidate; pytest runs the documented comparison tests.
- **Testing evidence:** The author reports 43 of 43 tests passing.
- **License:** No licence file in the repository.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/daedalus/uniq-reconstruction/blob/a1f1c181f3e3dd2c55fb590f9f9956a31d2ca47e/README.md>

## More in Native binaries

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- [dargh: reconstructing Dynamic Animation Replacer for Skyrim](https://awesomerea.org/resources/dargh-case/index.md) · Case study
- [ndec-re: reconstructing an MS-DOS encryption program](https://awesomerea.org/resources/ndec-re-case/index.md) · Case study
- [re-sysinternals-suite: rebuilding Sysinternals strings.exe](https://awesomerea.org/resources/re-sysinternals-strings-case/index.md) · Case study
- [ExCrypt: reconstructing Xbox 360 XeCrypt functions](https://awesomerea.org/resources/excrypt-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.