Exploring Memory Layout of Program

[Aruna]

Hello everyone, Happy Christmas to y'all.  I wanted to explore how the program is laid out in memory so put this together. It works as expected but takes a considerable time before the data is loaded into the TMemo. It takes almost 10 seconds on my hardware. Is there a way to have an indication that data is still being collected/processed or a way to speed up this rather large delay? A screenshot is attached.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. unit Unit1;
2.  
3. {$mode objfpc}{$H+}
4.  
5. interface
6.  
7. uses
8.   Classes, SysUtils, Forms, Controls, Graphics, Dialogs, StdCtrls, Process;
9.  
10. type
11.  
12.   { TForm1 }
13.  
14.   TForm1 = class(TForm)
15.     ButtonRunObjdump: TButton;
16.     MemoOutput: TMemo;
17.     procedure ButtonRunObjdumpClick(Sender: TObject);
18.   private
19.     procedure RunObjdump(const FilePath: string);
20.   public
21.  
22.   end;
23.  
24. var
25.   Form1: TForm1;
26.  
27. implementation
28.  
29. {$R *.lfm}
30.  
31. { TForm1 }
32.  
33. procedure TForm1.ButtonRunObjdumpClick(Sender: TObject);
34. var
35.   FilePath: string;
36. begin
37.   // Specify the binary file to analyze
38.   FilePath := '/home/aruna/lazarus/memoryLayout/project1';
39.   if FileExists(FilePath) then
40.     RunObjdump(FilePath)
41.   else
42.     MemoOutput.Lines.Add('File not found: ' + FilePath);
43. end;
44.  
45. procedure TForm1.RunObjdump(const FilePath: string);
46. var
47.   Output: string;
48.   Command: string;
49. begin
50.   MemoOutput.Clear; // Clear previous output
51.   Command := 'objdump -d --section=.text ' + FilePath;
52.  
53.   try
54.     if RunCommand('/bin/bash', ['-c', Command], Output) then
55.       MemoOutput.Lines.Text := Output // Display the output in TMemo
56.     else
57.       MemoOutput.Lines.Add('Error: Failed to run objdump.');
58.   except
59.     on E: Exception do
60.       MemoOutput.Lines.Add('Exception: ' + E.Message);
61.   end;
62. end;
63.  
64. end.

[Fibonacci]

https://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/rtl/classes/tthread.executeinthread.html
https://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/Multithreaded_Application_Tutorial

Basically, all you need to do is to execute your code via TThread.CreateAnonymousThread

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. procedure TForm1.RunObjdump(const FilePath: string);
2. var
3.   Output: string;
4.   Command: string;
5. begin
6.   form1.Caption := 'working...';
7.  
8.   TThread.CreateAnonymousThread(procedure
9.   begin
10.     MemoOutput.Clear; // Clear previous output
11.     Command := 'objdump -d --section=.text ' + FilePath;
12.  
13.     try
14.       if RunCommand('/bin/bash', ['-c', Command], Output) then
15.         MemoOutput.Lines.Text := Output // Display the output in TMemo
16.       else
17.         MemoOutput.Lines.Add('Error: Failed to run objdump.');
18.     except
19.       on E: Exception do
20.         MemoOutput.Lines.Add('Exception: ' + E.Message);
21.     end;
22.  
23.     form1.Caption := 'done';
24.   end);
25. end;

Add a modeswitch

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. {$mode objfpc}{$H+}
2. {$modeswitch anonymousfunctions}  

[Aruna]

https://www.freepascal.org/docs-html/rtl/classes/tthread.executeinthread.html
https://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/Multithreaded_Application_Tutorial

Basically, all you need to do is to execute your code via TThread.CreateAnonymousThread

Hi @Fibonacci, thank you very much. Your code was missing a closing bracket which I plugged in and when I tried it choked with errors.
The first screenshot shows the mode switch error. I commented it out and re-ran and the second screenshot shows the error.

[Fibonacci]

The latest version of FPC is required to use the anonymous functions feature. Otherwise just use regular way of multithreading, please refer to the second link I gave. A little more work to do.

I suggest installing FPC 3.3.1 using this awesome tool: https://github.com/LongDirtyAnimAlf/fpcupdeluxe/releases/tag/v2.4.0f

Your code was missing a closing bracket

Where?

[Aruna]

The latest version of FPC is required to use the anonymous functions feature. Otherwise just use regular way of multithreading, please refer to the second link I gave. A little more work to do.

I suggest installing FPC 3.3.1 using this awesome tool: https://github.com/LongDirtyAnimAlf/fpcupdeluxe/releases/tag/v2.4.0f

Your code was missing a closing bracket

Where?

My apologies I made a mistake there was no missing bracket. I am attaching a zip contaning full source and a screenshot that shows the time it takes to complete the process. I am running Free Pascal Compiler version 3.2.2 [2021/07/09] for x86_64 so it should work but chokes. I would be grateful if you would try to compile and run my zip and see where I may be going wrong. Thank you.

[Fibonacci]

It would be much easier for you if you updated your FPC. You are missing new features.

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. unit Unit1;
2.  
3. {$mode objfpc}{$H+}
4.  
5. interface
6.  
7. uses
8.   Classes, SysUtils, Forms, Controls, Graphics, Dialogs, StdCtrls, Process;
9.  
10. type
11.   TForm1 = class(TForm)
12.     ButtonRunObjdump: TButton;
13.     MemoOutput: TMemo;
14.     procedure ButtonRunObjdumpClick(Sender: TObject);
15.   private
16.     procedure RunObjdump(const FilePath: string);
17.   public
18.  
19.   end;
20.  
21.   TThread1 = class(TThread)
22.   private
23.     q: QWord;
24.   protected
25.     procedure Execute; override;
26.     procedure Done;
27.   public
28.     command: string;
29.     memo: string;
30.   end;
31.  
32. var
33.   Form1: TForm1;
34.  
35. implementation
36.  
37. {$R *.lfm}
38.  
39. procedure TThread1.Execute;
40. var
41.   Output: string;
42. begin
43.   q := GetTickCount64;
44.  
45.   try
46.     {$ifdef MSWINDOWS}
47.     if RunCommand('cmd', ['/c '+command], Output, [], swoHIDE) then
48.     {$else MSWINDOWS}
49.     if RunCommand('/bin/bash', ['-c', Command], Output) then
50.     {$endif}
51.       memo := Output
52.     else
53.       memo := 'Error: Failed to run objdump.';
54.   except
55.     on E: Exception do memo := 'Exception: ' + E.Message;
56.   end;
57.  
58.   Synchronize(@Done);
59. end;
60.  
61. procedure TThread1.Done;
62. begin
63.   Form1.MemoOutput.Lines.Text := memo;
64.   Form1.Caption := 'Done in '+inttostr(GetTickCount64-q)+' ms.';
65.   Form1.ButtonRunObjdump.Enabled := true;
66. end;
67.  
68. procedure TForm1.ButtonRunObjdumpClick(Sender: TObject);
69. var
70.   FilePath: string;
71. begin
72.   // Specify the binary file to analyze
73.   {$ifdef MSWINDOWS}
74.   FilePath := 'C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe';
75.   {$else MSWINDOWS}
76.   FilePath := '/home/aruna/lazarus/memoryLayout/project1';
77.   {$endif}
78.  
79.   if FileExists(FilePath) then
80.     RunObjdump(FilePath)
81.   else
82.     MemoOutput.Lines.Add('File not found: ' + FilePath);
83. end;
84.  
85. procedure TForm1.RunObjdump(const FilePath: string);
86. var
87.   Command: string;
88.   thr: TThread1;
89. begin
90.   MemoOutput.Clear; // Clear previous output
91.  
92.   //Command := 'objdump -T ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
93.   //Command := 'objdump -h ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
94.   //Command := 'file ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
95.   //Command := 'strings -d ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
96.   //Command := 'ldd ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
97.   //Command := 'readelf -d ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
98.   //Command := '' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
99.   Command := 'objdump -d --section=.text "'+FilePath+'"';
100.  
101.   ButtonRunObjdump.Enabled := false;
102.   MemoOutput.Lines.Add('working...');
103.  
104.   thr := TThread1.Create(true);    
105.   thr.FreeOnTerminate := true;
106.   thr.command := Command;
107.   thr.Resume;
108. end;
109.  
110. end.

[cdbc]

Hey Aruna

I am running Free Pascal Compiler version 3.2.2 [2021/07/09] for x86_64 so it should work but chokes.

Well, that doesn't do you any good, when the features used in the program, require the *trunk* -compiler(3.3.1) to compile the anonymous stuff...
It is however, pretty easy to set up, with the help of 'FpcUpDeluxe'...
Regards Benny

[Aruna]

It would be much easier for you if you updated your FPC. You are missing new features.

Is there a way to do this without using FpcUpDeluxe? Some users report issues like incomplete installations, dependency problems, or difficulties when upgrading. If there is a way to upgrade without using FpcUpDeluxe please tell me how?

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. unit Unit1;
2.  
3. {$mode objfpc}{$H+}
4.  
5. interface
6.  
7. uses
8.   Classes, SysUtils, Forms, Controls, Graphics, Dialogs, StdCtrls, Process;
9.  
10. type
11.   TForm1 = class(TForm)
12.     ButtonRunObjdump: TButton;
13.     MemoOutput: TMemo;
14.     procedure ButtonRunObjdumpClick(Sender: TObject);
15.   private
16.     procedure RunObjdump(const FilePath: string);
17.   public
18.  
19.   end;
20.  
21.   TThread1 = class(TThread)
22.   private
23.     q: QWord;
24.   protected
25.     procedure Execute; override;
26.     procedure Done;
27.   public
28.     command: string;
29.     memo: string;
30.   end;
31.  
32. var
33.   Form1: TForm1;
34.  
35. implementation
36.  
37. {$R *.lfm}
38.  
39. procedure TThread1.Execute;
40. var
41.   Output: string;
42. begin
43.   q := GetTickCount64;
44.  
45.   try
46.     {$ifdef MSWINDOWS}
47.     if RunCommand('cmd', ['/c '+command], Output, [], swoHIDE) then
48.     {$else MSWINDOWS}
49.     if RunCommand('/bin/bash', ['-c', Command], Output) then
50.     {$endif}
51.       memo := Output
52.     else
53.       memo := 'Error: Failed to run objdump.';
54.   except
55.     on E: Exception do memo := 'Exception: ' + E.Message;
56.   end;
57.  
58.   Synchronize(@Done);
59. end;
60.  
61. procedure TThread1.Done;
62. begin
63.   Form1.MemoOutput.Lines.Text := memo;
64.   Form1.Caption := 'Done in '+inttostr(GetTickCount64-q)+' ms.';
65.   Form1.ButtonRunObjdump.Enabled := true;
66. end;
67.  
68. procedure TForm1.ButtonRunObjdumpClick(Sender: TObject);
69. var
70.   FilePath: string;
71. begin
72.   // Specify the binary file to analyze
73.   {$ifdef MSWINDOWS}
74.   FilePath := 'C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe';
75.   {$else MSWINDOWS}
76.   FilePath := '/home/aruna/lazarus/memoryLayout/project1';
77.   {$endif}
78.  
79.   if FileExists(FilePath) then
80.     RunObjdump(FilePath)
81.   else
82.     MemoOutput.Lines.Add('File not found: ' + FilePath);
83. end;
84.  
85. procedure TForm1.RunObjdump(const FilePath: string);
86. var
87.   Command: string;
88.   thr: TThread1;
89. begin
90.   MemoOutput.Clear; // Clear previous output
91.  
92.   //Command := 'objdump -T ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
93.   //Command := 'objdump -h ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
94.   //Command := 'file ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
95.   //Command := 'strings -d ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
96.   //Command := 'ldd ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
97.   //Command := 'readelf -d ' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
98.   //Command := '' + FilePath; // Construct the objdump command
99.   Command := 'objdump -d --section=.text "'+FilePath+'"';
100.  
101.   ButtonRunObjdump.Enabled := false;
102.   MemoOutput.Lines.Add('working...');
103.  
104.   thr := TThread1.Create(true);    
105.   thr.FreeOnTerminate := true;
106.   thr.command := Command;
107.   thr.Resume;
108. end;
109.  
110. end.

This is perfect and works on my hardware, thank you for taking the time. I also learned something new by studying your code about how to determine which OS am running on. Just out of curiosity if and when you have time would it be posible to have a screenshot of what notepad.exe shows, please? So once again many thanks for fixing one of my needs the form caption shows the total elapsed time and the TMemo now has a 'working...' which is a lot better than my empty one which can make a user think the program has frozen

Is there a way to make the time it takes to complete faster? The reason I ask is when I run time objdump -d --section=.text project1 the first screenshot shows you it takes 9.471seconds and when I run the code you sent second screenshot shows 'Done in 18295 ms'. So somewhere we have a bottleneck that maybe we can fix? Or then again maybe not... thank you very much for your code once again I learned many things.

[Aruna]

Hey Aruna

I am running Free Pascal Compiler version 3.2.2 [2021/07/09] for x86_64 so it should work but chokes.

Well, that doesn't do you any good, when the features used in the program, require the *trunk* -compiler(3.3.1) to compile the anonymous stuff...
It is however, pretty easy to set up, with the help of 'FpcUpDeluxe'...
Regards Benny

Hey Benny how are you? Sorry, I missed you the second time on IRC. Please do drop by whenever time permits you to do so. I am usually always in there. I am afraid ( more like very scared ) of ever using git because I had a really bad experience a while ago when I ran 'git reset --hard' I lost all my projects. Code I had written from scratch which took some months. I think there is a post here on the forum about this experience. So if I can avoid git I will do so. That being said *trunk* is the main repo yes? What if I clone and download the main repo and build on my system? Can that work?

[cdbc]

Hi
...Yup, MeThinks, that should work, be advised - It will then install *trunk* as your main compiler - so pick a branch that works flawlessly 
Good luck

Yeah, I'm doing fine, enjoying the *lack* of frost & snow this christmas, as I say: "Let them have it in the Alps, where it's good for something" 
Regards Benny