Simplified memory search tool

tools/playground/SegmentedFinder.h

@@ -0,0 +1,224 @@
+#ifndef SEGMENTED_FINDER_H
+#define SEGMENTED_FINDER_H
+
+class SegmentedFinder;
+class SegmentFinder
+{
+    public:
+    SegmentFinder(DFHack::t_memrange & mr, DFHack::Context * DF, SegmentedFinder * SF)
+    {
+        _DF = DF;
+        mr_ = mr;
+        mr_.buffer = (uint8_t *)malloc (mr_.end - mr_.start);
+        DF->ReadRaw(mr_.start,(mr_.end - mr_.start),mr_.buffer);
+        _SF = SF;
+    }
+    ~SegmentFinder()
+    {
+        delete mr_.buffer;
+    }
+    template <class needleType, class hayType, typename comparator >
+    bool Find (needleType needle,  const uint8_t increment ,vector <uint64_t> &found, vector <uint64_t> &newfound, comparator oper)
+    {
+        if(found.empty())
+        {
+            //loop
+            for(uint64_t offset = 0; offset < (mr_.end - mr_.start) - sizeof(hayType); offset += increment)
+            {
+                if( oper(_SF,(hayType *)(mr_.buffer + offset), needle) )
+                    newfound.push_back(mr_.start + offset);
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            for( uint64_t i = 0; i < found.size(); i++)
+            {
+                if(mr_.isInRange(found[i]))
+                {
+                    uint64_t corrected = found[i] - mr_.start;
+                    if( oper(_SF,(hayType *)(mr_.buffer + corrected), needle) )
+                        newfound.push_back(found[i]);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return true;
+    }
+    private:
+    friend class SegmentedFinder;
+    SegmentedFinder * _SF;
+    DFHack::Context * _DF;
+    DFHack::t_memrange mr_;
+};
+
+class SegmentedFinder
+{
+    public:
+    SegmentedFinder(vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges, DFHack::Context * DF)
+    {
+        _DF = DF;
+        for(int i = 0; i < ranges.size(); i++)
+        {
+            segments.push_back(new SegmentFinder(ranges[i], DF, this));
+        }
+    }
+    ~SegmentedFinder()
+    {
+        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
+        {
+            delete segments[i];
+        }
+    }
+    SegmentFinder * getSegmentForAddress (uint64_t addr)
+    {
+        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
+        {
+            if(segments[i]->mr_.isInRange(addr))
+            {
+                return segments[i];
+            }
+        }
+        return 0;
+    }
+    template <class needleType, class hayType, typename comparator >
+    bool Find (const needleType needle, const uint8_t increment, vector <uint64_t> &found, comparator oper)
+    {
+        vector <uint64_t> newfound;
+        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
+        {
+            segments[i]->Find<needleType,hayType,comparator>(needle, increment, found, newfound, oper);
+        }
+        found.clear();
+        found = newfound;
+        return !(found.empty());
+    }
+    template <typename T>
+    T * Translate(uint64_t address)
+    {
+        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
+        {
+            if(segments[i]->mr_.isInRange(address))
+            {
+                return (T *) (segments[i]->mr_.buffer + address - segments[i]->mr_.start);
+            }
+        }
+        return 0;
+    }
+    template <typename T>
+    T Read(uint64_t address)
+    {
+        return *Translate<T>(address);
+    }
+    template <typename T>
+    bool Read(uint64_t address, T& target)
+    {
+        T * test = Translate<T>(address);
+        if(test)
+        {
+            target = *test;
+            return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+    private:
+    DFHack::Context * _DF;
+    vector <SegmentFinder *> segments;
+};
+
+template <typename T>
+bool equalityP (SegmentedFinder* s, T *x, T y)
+{
+    return (*x) == y;
+}
+
+struct vecTriplet
+{
+    uint32_t start;
+    uint32_t finish;
+    uint32_t alloc_finish;
+};
+
+template <typename Needle>
+bool vectorLength (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, Needle &y)
+{
+    if(x->start <= x->finish && x->finish <= x->alloc_finish)
+        if((x->finish - x->start) == y)
+            return true;
+    return false;
+}
+
+// find a vector of 32bit pointers, where an object pointed to has a string 'y' as the first member
+bool vectorString (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, const char *y)
+{
+    uint32_t object_ptr;
+    uint32_t idx = x->start;
+    // iterato over vector of pointers
+    for(uint32_t idx = x->start; idx < x->finish; idx += sizeof(uint32_t))
+    {
+        // deref ptr idx, get ptr to object
+        if(!s->Read(idx,object_ptr))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+        // deref ptr to first object, get ptr to string
+        uint32_t string_ptr;
+        if(!s->Read(object_ptr,string_ptr))
+            return false;
+        // get string location in our local cache
+        char * str = s->Translate<char>(string_ptr);
+        if(!str)
+            return false;
+        if(strcmp(y, str) == 0)
+            return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+// test if the address is within a vector's array
+bool vectorAddrWithin (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, uint32_t address)
+{
+    if(address < x->finish && address >= x->start)
+        return true;
+    return false;
+}
+
+// test if an object address is within the vector of pointers
+bool vectorOfPtrWithin (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, uint32_t address)
+{
+    uint32_t object_ptr;
+    uint32_t idx = x->start;
+    for(uint32_t idx = x->start; idx < x->finish; idx += sizeof(uint32_t))
+    {
+        if(!s->Read(idx,object_ptr))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+        if(object_ptr == address)
+            return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+bool vectorAll (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, int )
+{
+    if(x->start <= x->finish && x->finish <= x->alloc_finish)
+    {
+        if(s->getSegmentForAddress(x->start) == s->getSegmentForAddress(x->finish)
+            && s->getSegmentForAddress(x->finish) == s->getSegmentForAddress(x->alloc_finish))
+            return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+bool findString (SegmentedFinder* s, uint32_t *addr, const char * compare )
+{
+    // read string pointer, translate to local scheme
+    char *str = s->Translate<char>(*addr);
+    // verify
+    if(!str)
+        return false;
+    if(strcmp(str, compare) == 0)
+        return true;
+    return false;
+}
+
+#endif // SEGMENTED_FINDER_H

tools/playground/incrementalsearch.cpp

@@ -19,395 +19,307 @@ using namespace std;
 #endif
 
 #include <DFHack.h>
-class SegmentedFinder;
-class SegmentFinder
+#include "SegmentedFinder.h"
+
+inline void printRange(DFHack::t_memrange * tpr)
 {
-    public:
-    SegmentFinder(DFHack::t_memrange & mr, DFHack::Context * DF, SegmentedFinder * SF)
-    {
-        _DF = DF;
-        mr_ = mr;
-        mr_.buffer = (uint8_t *)malloc (mr_.end - mr_.start);
-        DF->ReadRaw(mr_.start,(mr_.end - mr_.start),mr_.buffer);
-        _SF = SF;
-    }
-    ~SegmentFinder()
+    std::cout << std::hex << tpr->start << " - " << tpr->end << "|" << (tpr->read ? "r" : "-") << (tpr->write ? "w" : "-") << (tpr->execute ? "x" : "-") << "|" << tpr->name << std::endl;
+}
+
+bool getRanges(DFHack::Process * p, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& selected_ranges)
+{
+    vector <DFHack::t_memrange> ranges;
+    selected_ranges.clear();
+    p->getMemRanges(ranges);
+    cout << "Which range to search? (default is 1-4)" << endl;
+    for(int i = 0; i< ranges.size();i++)
     {
-        delete mr_.buffer;
+        cout << dec << "(" << i << ") ";
+        printRange(&(ranges[i]));
     }
-    template <class needleType, class hayType, typename comparator >
-    bool Find (needleType needle,  const uint8_t increment ,vector <uint64_t> &found, vector <uint64_t> &newfound, comparator oper)
+    int start, end;
+    while(1)
     {
-        if(found.empty())
+        string select;
+        cout << ">>";
+        std::getline(cin, select);
+        if(select.empty())
         {
-            //loop
-            for(uint64_t offset = 0; offset < (mr_.end - mr_.start) - sizeof(hayType); offset += increment)
+            // empty input, assume default. observe the length of the memory range vector
+            // these are hardcoded values, intended for my convenience only
+            if(p->getDescriptor()->getOS() == DFHack::memory_info::OS_WINDOWS)
             {
-                if( oper(_SF,(hayType *)(mr_.buffer + offset), needle) )
-                    newfound.push_back(mr_.start + offset);
+                start = min(11, (int)ranges.size());
+                end = min(14, (int)ranges.size());
             }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            for( uint64_t i = 0; i < found.size(); i++)
+            else if(p->getDescriptor()->getOS() == DFHack::memory_info::OS_LINUX)
+            {
+                start = min(11, (int)ranges.size());
+                end = min(14, (int)ranges.size());
+            }
+            else
             {
-                if(mr_.isInRange(found[i]))
-                {
-                    uint64_t corrected = found[i] - mr_.start;
-                    if( oper(_SF,(hayType *)(mr_.buffer + corrected), needle) )
-                        newfound.push_back(found[i]);
-                }
+                start = 1;
+                end = 1;
             }
+            break;
         }
-        return true;
-    }
-    private:
-    friend class SegmentedFinder;
-    SegmentedFinder * _SF;
-    DFHack::Context * _DF;
-    DFHack::t_memrange mr_;
-};
-
-class SegmentedFinder
-{
-    public:
-    SegmentedFinder(vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges, DFHack::Context * DF)
-    {
-        _DF = DF;
-        for(int i = 0; i < ranges.size(); i++)
+        // I like the C variants here. much less object clutter
+        else if(sscanf(select.c_str(), "%d-%d", &start, &end) == 2)
         {
-            segments.push_back(new SegmentFinder(ranges[i], DF, this));
+            start = min(start, (int)ranges.size());
+            end = min(end, (int)ranges.size());
+            break;
         }
-    }
-    ~SegmentedFinder()
-    {
-        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
+        else
         {
-            delete segments[i];
+            continue;
         }
+        break;
     }
-    SegmentFinder * getSegmentForAddress (uint64_t addr)
+    end++;
+    cout << "selected ranges:" <<endl;
+    selected_ranges.insert(selected_ranges.begin(),ranges.begin() + start, ranges.begin() + end);
+    for(int i = 0; i< selected_ranges.size();i++)
     {
-        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
-        {
-            if(segments[i]->mr_.isInRange(addr))
-            {
-                return segments[i];
-            }
-        }
-        return 0;
+        printRange(&(selected_ranges[i]));
     }
-    template <class needleType, class hayType, typename comparator >
-    bool Find (const needleType needle, const uint8_t increment, vector <uint64_t> &found, comparator oper)
+}
+
+bool getNumber (string prompt, int & output, int def, bool pdef = true)
+{
+    cout << prompt;
+    if(pdef)
+        cout << " default=" << def << endl;
+    while (1)
     {
-        vector <uint64_t> newfound;
-        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
+        string select;
+        cout << ">>";
+        std::getline(cin, select);
+        if(select.empty())
         {
-            segments[i]->Find<needleType,hayType,comparator>(needle, increment, found, newfound, oper);
+            output = def;
+            break;
         }
-        found.clear();
-        found = newfound;
-        return !(found.empty());
-    }
-    template <typename T>
-    T * Translate(uint64_t address)
-    {
-        for(int i = 0; i < segments.size(); i++)
+        else if( sscanf(select.c_str(), "%d", &output) == 1 )
         {
-            if(segments[i]->mr_.isInRange(address))
-            {
-                return (T *) (segments[i]->mr_.buffer + address - segments[i]->mr_.start);
-            }
+            break;
         }
-        return 0;
-    }
-    template <typename T>
-    T Read(uint64_t address)
-    {
-        return *Translate<T>(address);
-    }
-    template <typename T>
-    bool Read(uint64_t address, T& target)
-    {
-        T * test = Translate<T>(address);
-        if(test)
+        else
         {
-            target = *test;
-            return true;
+            continue;
         }
-        return false;
     }
-    private:
-    DFHack::Context * _DF;
-    vector <SegmentFinder *> segments;
-};
-
-template <typename T>
-bool equalityP (SegmentedFinder* s, T *x, T y)
-{
-    return (*x) == y;
+    return true;
 }
 
-struct vecTriplet
-{
-    uint32_t start;
-    uint32_t finish;
-    uint32_t alloc_finish;
-};
-
-template <typename Needle>
-bool vectorLength (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, Needle &y)
+bool getString (string prompt, string & output)
 {
-    if(x->start <= x->finish && x->finish <= x->alloc_finish)
-        if((x->finish - x->start) == y)
-            return true;
-    return false;
-}
-
-bool vectorString (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, const char *y)
-{
-    if(x->start <= x->finish && x->finish <= x->alloc_finish)
+    cout << prompt;
+    cout << ">>";
+    string select;
+    std::getline(cin, select);
+    if(select.empty())
     {
-        // deref ptr start, get ptr to firt object
-        uint32_t object_ptr;
-        if(!s->Read(x->start,object_ptr))
-            return false;
-        // deref ptr to first object, get ptr to string
-        uint32_t string_ptr;
-        if(!s->Read(object_ptr,string_ptr))
-            return false;
-        // get string location in our local cache
-        char * str = s->Translate<char>(string_ptr);
-        if(!str)
-            return false;
-        if(strcmp(y, str) == 0)
-            return true;
+        return false;
     }
-    return false;
-}
-
-bool vectorAll (SegmentedFinder* s, vecTriplet *x, int )
-{
-    if(x->start <= x->finish && x->finish <= x->alloc_finish)
+    else
     {
-        if(s->getSegmentForAddress(x->start) == s->getSegmentForAddress(x->finish)
-            && s->getSegmentForAddress(x->finish) == s->getSegmentForAddress(x->alloc_finish))
-            return true;
+        output = select;
+        return true;
     }
-    return false;
 }
 
-bool findString (SegmentedFinder* s, uint32_t *addr, const char * compare )
+template <class T>
+bool Incremental ( vector <uint64_t> &found, const char * what, T& output,
+                   const char *singular = "address", const char *plural = "addresses" )
 {
-    // read string pointer, translate to local scheme
-    char *str = s->Translate<char>(*addr);
-    // verify
-    if(!str)
+    string select;
+    if(found.empty())
+    {
+        cout << "search ready - insert " << what << ", 'p' for results" << endl;
+    }
+    else if( found.size() == 1)
+    {
+        cout << "Found an "<< singular <<"!" << endl;
+        cout << hex << "0x" << found[0] << endl;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        cout << "Found " << dec << found.size() << " " << plural <<"." << endl;
+    }
+    incremental_more:
+    cout << ">>";
+    std::getline(cin, select);
+    if(select == "p")
+    {
+        cout << "Found "<< plural <<":" << endl;
+        for(int i = 0; i < found.size();i++)
+        {
+            cout << hex << "0x" << found[i] << endl;
+        }
+        goto incremental_more;
+    }
+    else if(select.empty())
+    {
         return false;
-    if(strcmp(str, compare) == 0)
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        stringstream ss (stringstream::in | stringstream::out);
+        ss << select;
+        ss >> output;
+        if(ss.fail())
+        {
+            cout << "not a valid value for type: " << what << endl;
+            goto incremental_more;
+        }
         return true;
-    return false;
+    }
 }
 
 //TODO: lots of optimization
-void searchLoop(DFHack::ContextManager & DFMgr, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges, int size, int alignment)
+void searchLoop(DFHack::ContextManager & DFMgr, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges)
 {
+    // input / validation of variable size
+    int size;
+    do
+    {
+        getNumber("Select variable size (1,2,4 bytes)",size, 4);
+    } while (size != 1 && size != 2 && size != 4);
+    // input / validation of variable alignment (default is to use the same alignment as size)
+    int alignment;
+    do
+    {
+        getNumber("Select variable alignment (1,2,4 bytes)",alignment, size);
+    } while (alignment != 1 && alignment != 2 && alignment != 4);
+
     uint32_t test1;
     vector <uint64_t> found;
     found.reserve(100);
-    //bool initial = 1;
-    cout << "search ready - insert integers, 'p' for results" << endl;
-    string select;
-    while (1)
+    while(Incremental(found, "integer",test1))
     {
-        cout << ">>";
-        std::getline(cin, select);
-        if(select == "p")
-        {
-            cout << "Found addresses:" << endl;
-            for(int i = 0; i < found.size();i++)
-            {
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[i] << endl;
-            }
-        }
-        else if(sscanf(select.c_str(),"%d", &test1) == 1)
+        DFMgr.Refresh();
+        DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
+        DF->Attach();
+        SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
+        switch(size)
         {
-            // refresh the list of processes, get first suitable, attach
-            DFMgr.Refresh();
-            DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
-            DF->Attach();
-            SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
-            switch(size)
-            {
-                case 1:
-                    sf.Find<uint8_t,uint8_t>(test1,alignment,found, equalityP<uint8_t>);
-                    break;
-                case 2:
-                    sf.Find<uint16_t,uint16_t>(test1,alignment,found, equalityP<uint16_t>);
-                    break;
-                case 4:
-                    sf.Find<uint32_t,uint32_t>(test1,alignment,found, equalityP<uint32_t>);
-                    break;
-            }
-            if( found.size() == 1)
-            {
-                cout << "Found an address!" << endl;
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[0] << endl;
-            }
-            else
-                cout << "Found " << dec << found.size() << " addresses." << endl;
-            DF->Detach();
+            case 1:
+                sf.Find<uint8_t,uint8_t>(test1,alignment,found, equalityP<uint8_t>);
+                break;
+            case 2:
+                sf.Find<uint16_t,uint16_t>(test1,alignment,found, equalityP<uint16_t>);
+                break;
+            case 4:
+                sf.Find<uint32_t,uint32_t>(test1,alignment,found, equalityP<uint32_t>);
+                break;
         }
-        else break;
+        DF->Detach();
     }
 }
 
-void searchLoopVector(DFHack::ContextManager & DFMgr, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges, uint32_t element_size)
+void searchLoopVector(DFHack::ContextManager & DFMgr, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges )
 {
-    vecTriplet load;
+    int element_size;
+    do
+    {
+        getNumber("Select searched vector item size in bytes",element_size, 4);
+    } while (element_size < 1);
+
     uint32_t length;
     vector <uint64_t> found;
     found.reserve(100);
-    //bool initial = 1;
-    cout << "search ready - insert vector length" << endl;
-    string select;
-    while (1)
+    while (Incremental(found, "vector length",length,"vector","vectors"))
     {
-        cout << ">>";
-        std::getline(cin, select);
-        if(select == "p")
-        {
-            cout << "Found vectors:" << endl;
-            for(int i = 0; i < found.size();i++)
-            {
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[i] << endl;
-            }
-        }
-        else if(sscanf(select.c_str(),"%d", &length) == 1)
-        {
-            // refresh the list of processes, get first suitable, attach
-            DFMgr.Refresh();
-            DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
-            DF->Attach();
-
-            // clear the list of found addresses
-            found.clear();
-            SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
-            sf.Find<int ,vecTriplet>(0,4,found,vectorAll);
-            sf.Find<uint32_t,vecTriplet>(length*element_size,4,found,vectorLength<uint32_t>);
-            if( found.size() == 1)
-            {
-                cout << "Found an address!" << endl;
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[0] << endl;
-            }
-            else
-                cout << "Found " << dec << found.size() << " addresses." << endl;
-            // detach again
-            DF->Detach();
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            break;
-        }
+        DFMgr.Refresh();
+        DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
+        DF->Attach();
+        SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
+        sf.Find<int ,vecTriplet>(0,4,found,vectorAll);
+        sf.Find<uint32_t,vecTriplet>(length * element_size,4,found,vectorLength<uint32_t>);
+        DF->Detach();
     }
 }
 
 void searchLoopStrObjVector(DFHack::ContextManager & DFMgr, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges)
 {
     vector <uint64_t> found;
-    cout << "search ready - insert string" << endl;
     string select;
-    while (1)
+    while (Incremental(found, "raw name",select,"vector","vectors"))
     {
-        cout << ">>";
-        std::getline(cin, select);
-        if(select == "p")
-        {
-            cout << "Found vectors:" << endl;
-            for(int i = 0; i < found.size();i++)
-            {
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[i] << endl;
-            }
-        }
-        else if(!select.empty())
-        {
-            // refresh the list of processes, get first suitable, attach
-            DFMgr.Refresh();
-            DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
-            DF->Attach();
-
-            // clear the list of found addresses
-            found.clear();
-            SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
-            sf.Find<int ,vecTriplet>(0,4,found, vectorAll);
-            sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>(select.c_str(),4,found, vectorString);
-            if( found.size() == 1)
-            {
-                cout << "Found an address!" << endl;
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[0] << endl;
-            }
-            else
-                cout << "Found " << dec << found.size() << " addresses." << endl;
-            // detach again
-            DF->Detach();
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            break;
-        }
+        // clear the list of found addresses -- this is a one-shot
+        found.clear();
+        DFMgr.Refresh();
+        DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
+        DF->Attach();
+        SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
+        sf.Find<int ,vecTriplet>(0,4,found, vectorAll);
+        sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>(select.c_str(),4,found, vectorString);
+        DF->Detach();
     }
 }
 
 void searchLoopStr(DFHack::ContextManager & DFMgr, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges)
 {
     vector <uint64_t> found;
-    cout << "search ready - insert string" << endl;
     string select;
-    while (1)
+    while (Incremental(found,"string",select,"string","strings"))
     {
-        cout << ">>";
-        std::getline(cin, select);
-        if(select == "p")
-        {
-            cout << "Found strings:" << endl;
-            for(int i = 0; i < found.size();i++)
-            {
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[i] << endl;
-            }
-        }
-        else if(!select.empty())
-        {
-            // refresh the list of processes, get first suitable, attach
-            DFMgr.Refresh();
-            DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
-            DF->Attach();
+        DFMgr.Refresh();
+        DFHack::Context * DF = DFMgr.getSingleContext();
+        DF->Attach();
+        SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
+        sf.Find< const char * ,uint32_t>(select.c_str(),1,found, findString);
+        DF->Detach();
+    }
+}
 
-            // clear the list of found addresses
-            found.clear();
-            SegmentedFinder sf(ranges,DF);
-            sf.Find< const char * ,uint32_t>(select.c_str(),1,found, findString);
-            if( found.size() == 1)
-            {
-                cout << "Found a string!" << endl;
-                cout << hex << "0x" << found[0] << endl;
-            }
-            else
-                cout << "Found " << dec << found.size() << " strings." << endl;
-            // detach again
-            DF->Detach();
-        }
-        else
+void automatedLangtables(DFHack::Context * DF, vector <DFHack::t_memrange>& ranges)
+{
+    vector <uint64_t> allVectors;
+    vector <uint64_t> to_filter;
+    uint64_t kulet_vector;
+    uint64_t word_table_offset;
+    uint64_t DWARF_vector;
+    uint64_t DWARF_object;
+    SegmentedFinder sf(ranges, DF);
+
+    // enumerate all vectors
+    sf.Find<int ,vecTriplet>(0,4,allVectors, vectorAll);
+
+    // find lang vector (neutral word table)
+    to_filter = allVectors;
+    sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>("ABBEY",4,to_filter, vectorString);
+    uint64_t lang_addr = to_filter[0];
+
+    // find dwarven language word table
+    to_filter = allVectors;
+    sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>("kulet",4,to_filter, vectorString);
+    kulet_vector = to_filter[0];
+
+    // find vector of languages
+    to_filter = allVectors;
+    sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>("DWARF",4,to_filter, vectorString);
+
+    // verify
+    for(int i = 0; i < to_filter.size(); i++)
+    {
+        vecTriplet * vec = sf.Translate<vecTriplet>(to_filter[i]);
+        if(((vec->finish - vec->start) / 4) == 4) // verified
         {
+            DWARF_vector = to_filter[i];
+            DWARF_object = sf.Read<uint32_t>(vec->start);
+            // compute word table offset from dwarf word table and dwarf language object addresses
+            word_table_offset = kulet_vector - DWARF_object;
             break;
         }
     }
+    cout << "translation vector: " << hex << "0x" << DWARF_vector << endl;
+    cout << "lang vector: " << hex << "0x" << lang_addr << endl;
+    cout << "word table offset: " << hex << "0x" << word_table_offset << endl;
 }
 
-
-inline void printRange(DFHack::t_memrange * tpr)
-{
-    std::cout << std::hex << tpr->start << " - " << tpr->end << "|" << (tpr->read ? "r" : "-") << (tpr->write ? "w" : "-") << (tpr->execute ? "x" : "-") << "|" << tpr->name << std::endl;
-}
 int main (void)
 {
     string select;
@@ -426,205 +338,40 @@ int main (void)
         return 1;
     }
     DFHack::Process * p = DF->getProcess();
-    vector <DFHack::t_memrange> ranges;
     vector <DFHack::t_memrange> selected_ranges;
-    p->getMemRanges(ranges);
-    cout << "Which range to search? (default is 1-4)" << endl;
-    for(int i = 0; i< ranges.size();i++)
-    {
-        cout << dec << "(" << i << ") ";
-        printRange(&(ranges[i]));
-    }
+    getRanges(p,selected_ranges);
 
-    try_again_ranges:
-    cout << ">>";
-    std::getline(cin, select);
-    int start, end;
-    if(select.empty())
-    {
-        // empty input, assume default. observe the length of the memory range vector
-        // these are hardcoded values, intended for my convenience only
-        if(p->getDescriptor()->getOS() == DFHack::memory_info::OS_WINDOWS)
-        {
-            start = min(11, (int)ranges.size());
-            end = min(14, (int)ranges.size());
-        }
-        else if(p->getDescriptor()->getOS() == DFHack::memory_info::OS_LINUX)
-        {
-            start = min(11, (int)ranges.size());
-            end = min(14, (int)ranges.size());
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            start = 1;
-            end = 1;
-        }
-    }
-    // I like the C variants here. much less object clutter
-    else if(sscanf(select.c_str(), "%d-%d", &start, &end) == 2)
-    {
-        start = min(start, (int)ranges.size());
-        end = min(end, (int)ranges.size());
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        goto try_again_ranges; // yes, this is a goto. bite me.
-    }
-    end++;
-    cout << "selected ranges:" <<endl;
-    selected_ranges.insert(selected_ranges.begin(),ranges.begin() + start, ranges.begin() + end);
-    for(int i = 0; i< selected_ranges.size();i++)
-    {
-        printRange(&(selected_ranges[i]));
-    }
-    try_again_type:
-    cout << "Select search type: 1=number(default), 2=vector, 3=vector>object>string, 4=string, 5=automated lang tables" << endl;
-    cout << ">>";
-    std::getline(cin, select);
+    string prompt =
+    "Select search type: 1=number(default), 2=vector by length, 3=vector>object>string,\n"
+    "                    4=string, 5=automated lang tables, 6=vector by address in its array,\n"
+    "                    7=pointer vector by address of an object, 8=vector>first object>string\n";
     int mode;
-    if(select.empty())
-    {
-        mode = 1;
-    }
-    else if( sscanf(select.c_str(), "%d", &mode) == 1 )
+    do
     {
-        if(mode != 1 && mode != 2 && mode != 3 && mode != 4 && mode != 5)
-        {
-            goto try_again_type;
-        }
-    }
-    else
+        getNumber(prompt,mode, 1, false);
+    } while (mode < 1 || mode > 8 );
+    switch (mode)
     {
-        goto try_again_type;
-    }
-
-    if(mode == 1)
-    {
-        // input / validation of variable size
-        try_again_size:
-        cout << "Select searched variable size (1,2,4 bytes, default is 4)" << endl;
-        cout << ">>";
-        std::getline(cin, select);
-        int size;
-        if(select.empty())
-        {
-            size = 4;
-        }
-        else if( sscanf(select.c_str(), "%d", &size) == 1 )
-        {
-            if(/*size != 8 &&*/ size != 4 && size != 2 && size != 1)
-            {
-                goto try_again_size;
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            goto try_again_size;
-        }
-
-        // input / validation of variable alignment (default is to use the same alignment as size)
-        try_again_align:
-        cout << "Variable alignment (1,2,4 bytes, default is " << size << ")" << endl;
-        cout << ">>";
-        std::getline(cin, select);
-        int alignment = size;
-        if(select.empty())
-        {
-            alignment = size;
-        }
-        else if( sscanf(select.c_str(), "%d", &alignment) == 1 )
-        {
-            if(/*alignment != 8 &&*/ alignment != 4 && alignment != 2 && alignment != 1)
-            {
-                goto try_again_align;
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            goto try_again_align;
-        }
-        // we detach, searchLoop looks for the process again.
-        DF->Detach();
-        searchLoop(DFMgr, selected_ranges, size, alignment);
-    }
-    else if(mode == 2)// vector
-    {
-        // input / validation of variable size
-        try_again_vsize:
-        cout << "Select searched vector item size (in bytes, default is 4)" << endl;
-        cout << ">>";
-        std::getline(cin, select);
-        uint32_t size;
-        if(select.empty())
-        {
-            size = 4;
-        }
-        else if( sscanf(select.c_str(), "%d", &size) == 1 )
-        {
-            if(size == 0)
-            {
-                goto try_again_vsize;
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            goto try_again_vsize;
-        }
-        // we detach, searchLoop looks for the process again.
-        DF->Detach();
-        searchLoopVector(DFMgr, selected_ranges,size);
-    }
-    else if(mode == 3)// vector>object>string
-    {
-        searchLoopStrObjVector(DFMgr, selected_ranges);
-    }
-    else if(mode == 4)// string
-    {
-        searchLoopStr(DFMgr, selected_ranges);
-    }
-    else if(mode == 5) // find lang tables and stuff
-    {
-        vector <uint64_t> allVectors;
-        vector <uint64_t> to_filter;
-        uint64_t kulet_vector;
-        uint64_t word_table_offset;
-        uint64_t DWARF_vector;
-        uint64_t DWARF_object;
-        SegmentedFinder sf(selected_ranges, DF);
-
-        // enumerate all vectors
-        sf.Find<int ,vecTriplet>(0,4,allVectors, vectorAll);
-
-        // find lang vector (neutral word table)
-        to_filter = allVectors;
-        sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>("ABBEY",4,to_filter, vectorString);
-        uint64_t lang_addr = to_filter[0];
-
-        // find dwarven language word table
-        to_filter = allVectors;
-        sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>("kulet",4,to_filter, vectorString);
-        kulet_vector = to_filter[0];
-
-        // find vector of languages
-        to_filter = allVectors;
-        sf.Find<const char * ,vecTriplet>("DWARF",4,to_filter, vectorString);
-
-        // verify
-        for(int i = 0; i < to_filter.size(); i++)
-        {
-            vecTriplet * vec = sf.Translate<vecTriplet>(to_filter[i]);
-            if(((vec->finish - vec->start) / 4) == 4) // verified
-            {
-                DWARF_vector = to_filter[i];
-                DWARF_object = sf.Read<uint32_t>(vec->start);
-                // compute word table offset from dwarf word table and dwarf language object addresses
-                word_table_offset = kulet_vector - DWARF_object;
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-        cout << "translation vector: " << hex << "0x" << DWARF_vector << endl;
-        cout << "lang vector: " << hex << "0x" << lang_addr << endl;
-        cout << "word table offset: " << hex << "0x" << word_table_offset << endl;
+        case 1:// integers
+            searchLoop(DFMgr, selected_ranges);
+            break;
+        case 2:// vector by length and item size
+            searchLoopVector(DFMgr, selected_ranges);
+            break;
+        case 3:// vector>object>string
+            searchLoopStrObjVector(DFMgr, selected_ranges);
+            break;
+        case 4:// string
+            searchLoopStr(DFMgr, selected_ranges);
+            break;
+        case 5:
+            automatedLangtables(DF,selected_ranges);
+            break;
+        case 6:
+        case 7:
+        case 8:
+        default:
+            cout << "not implemented :(" << endl;
     }
     #ifndef LINUX_BUILD
         cout << "Done. Press any key to continue" << endl;