diff --git a/buffer.c b/buffer.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 8750210..0000000
--- a/buffer.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,129 +0,0 @@
-#include "buffer.h"
-#include "record.h"
-#include "status_codes.h"
-#include <stdbool.h>
-#include <string.h>
-
-buffer* create_buffer(int capacity)
-{
-    buffer* out = malloc(sizeof(buffer));
-    out->length = 0;
-    out->capacity = capacity;
-    out->location = malloc(sizeof(record) * capacity);
-    out->original = true;
-    return out;
-}
-
-void destroy_buffer(buffer* buff)
-{
-    if (buff->original) {
-        free(buff->location);
-    }
-    free(buff);
-}
-
-buffer** split_buffer(buffer* original, int pieces)
-{
-    int size = original->capacity;
-    if (size <= 0) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    buffer** out = malloc(sizeof(buffer) * pieces);
-    for (int i = 0; i < pieces; i++) {
-        out[i]->length = 0;
-        out[i]->capacity = size;
-        out[i]->original = 0;
-        out[i]->location = original->location;
-        out[i]->location += i * size * sizeof(record);
-    }
-    return out;
-}
-
-int read_buffer(buffer* buff, FILE* in)
-{
-    int status;
-    record* current = buff->location;
-    buff->length = 0;
-    for (int i = 0; i < buff->capacity; i++) {
-        status = read_record(in, current);
-        if (status != SUCCESS) {
-            return status;
-        }
-        buff->length++;
-        current++;
-    }
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
-
-int write_buffer(buffer* buff, FILE* out)
-{
-    int status;
-    record* current = buff->location;
-    for (int i = 0; i < buff->length; i++) {
-        status = print_record(out, current);
-        if (status < 0) {
-            return status;
-        }
-        fprintf(out, "\n");
-        current++;
-    }
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
-
-int write_buffer_debug(buffer* buff, FILE* out)
-{
-    int status;
-    record* current = buff->location;
-    for (int i = 0; i < buff->length; i++) {
-        fprintf(out, "%d\t", g(current));
-        status = print_record(out, current);
-        if (status < 0) {
-            return status;
-        }
-        fprintf(out, "\n");
-        current++;
-    }
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
-
-int partition(record* arr, int start, int end)
-{
-    int i = start;
-    record* pivot = arr;
-    pivot += end;
-    for (int j = start; j < end; j++) {
-        record* current = arr;
-        current += j;
-        if (compare_records(current, pivot) > 0) {
-            continue;
-        }
-        record* i_rec = arr;
-        i_rec += i;
-        record tmp = *i_rec;
-        *i_rec = *current;
-        *current = tmp;
-        i++;
-    }
-    record* i_rec = arr;
-    i_rec += i;
-    record tmp = *i_rec;
-    *i_rec = *pivot;
-    *pivot = tmp;
-    return i;
-}
-
-void quicksort(record* arr, int start, int end, int depth)
-{
-    if (start >= end || start < 0) {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    int p = partition(arr, start, end);
-    quicksort(arr, start, p - 1, depth + 1);
-    quicksort(arr, p + 1, end, depth + 1);
-}
-
-void sort_buffer(buffer* buff)
-{
-    quicksort(buff->location, 0, buff->length - 1, 0);
-}
diff --git a/buffer.h b/buffer.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 1b1b407..0000000
--- a/buffer.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#include "record.h"
-#include <stdbool.h>
-
-typedef struct {
-    record* location;
-    int length;
-    int capacity;
-    bool original;
-} buffer;
-
-buffer* create_buffer(int capacity);
-void destroy_buffer(buffer* buff);
-buffer** split_buffer(buffer* original, int pieces);
-
-int read_buffer(buffer* buff, FILE* in);
-int write_buffer(buffer* buff, FILE* in);
-int write_buffer_debug(buffer* buff, FILE* in);
-void sort_buffer(buffer* buff);
diff --git a/config.c b/config.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 9dedf89..0000000
--- a/config.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-#include "config.h"
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
-#include <string.h>
-#include <unistd.h>
-
-int process_args(int argc, char** argv, Configuration* opts)
-{
-    opts->input_file = DEFAULT_IN;
-    opts->output_file = DEFAULT_OUT;
-    opts->directory = DEFAULT_DIR;
-    opts->generate_data = false;
-    opts->N = DEFAULT_NN;
-    opts->n = DEFAULT_N;
-    opts->b = DEFAULT_B;
-    int opt;
-    bool input_set = false;
-    while ((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "i:o:d:gN:n:b:")) != -1) {
-        switch (opt) {
-        case 'i':
-            opts->input_file = optarg;
-            input_set = true;
-            break;
-        case 'o':
-            opts->output_file = optarg;
-            break;
-        case 'd':
-            opts->directory = optarg;
-            break;
-        case 'g':
-            opts->generate_data = true;
-            break;
-        case 'N':
-            opts->N = atoi(optarg);
-            break;
-        case 'n':
-            opts->n = atoi(optarg);
-            break;
-        case 'b':
-            opts->b = atoi(optarg);
-            break;
-        case '?':
-            printf("wrong argument\n");
-            return ERROR;
-        }
-    }
-    if (opts->generate_data && input_set) {
-        printf("incompatible arguments\n");
-        return ERROR;
-    }
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
deleted file mode 100644
index d6aa562..0000000
--- a/config.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#include "status_codes.h"
-#include <stdbool.h>
-
-#define DEFAULT_IN "1.in"
-#define DEFAULT_OUT "1.in"
-#define DEFAULT_DIR "tmp"
-#define DEFAULT_NN 100000
-#define DEFAULT_N 101
-#define DEFAULT_B 10
-
-typedef struct
-{
-    const char* input_file;
-    const char* output_file;
-    const char* directory;
-    bool generate_data;
-    int N; // number of records in a file
-    int b; // blocking factor
-    int n; // number of buffers
-} Configuration;
-
-int process_args(int argc, char** argv, Configuration* opts);
diff --git a/heap.c b/heap.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 2d9825f..0000000
--- a/heap.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,78 +0,0 @@
-#include "heap.h"
-#include "status_codes.h"
-#include <stdlib.h>
-
-heap* create_heap(int size, int (*comparison)(const void* a, const void* b))
-{
-    heap* out = malloc(sizeof(heap));
-    out->data = malloc(sizeof(void*) * size);
-    out->length = 0;
-    out->capacity = size;
-    out->compare = comparison;
-    return out;
-}
-
-void destroy_heap(heap* h)
-{
-    free(h->data);
-    free(h);
-}
-
-void swap(void** a, void** b)
-{
-    void* tmp = *a;
-    *a = *b;
-    *b = tmp;
-}
-
-int heap_push(heap* h, void* in)
-{
-    int current = h->length;
-    void** d = h->data;
-    h->length++;
-    d[current] = in;
-    if (current == 0) {
-        return SUCCESS;
-    }
-    int parent = (current - 1) / 2;
-    while (h->compare(d[current], d[parent]) == -1) {
-        swap(&d[current], &d[parent]);
-        current = parent;
-        if (current == 0) {
-            break;
-        }
-        parent = (current - 1) / 2;
-    }
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
-
-int heap_pop(heap* h, void** out)
-{
-    void** d = h->data;
-    *out = d[0];
-    h->length--;
-    if (h->length == 0) {
-        return SUCCESS;
-    }
-    swap(&d[0], &d[h->length]);
-    int current = 0;
-    int left = current * 2 + 1;
-    int right = current * 2 + 2;
-    while (true) {
-        int smallest = current;
-        if (left < h->length && h->compare(d[smallest], d[left]) == 1) {
-            smallest = left;
-        }
-        if (right < h->length && h->compare(d[smallest], d[right]) == 1) {
-            smallest = right;
-        }
-        if (smallest == current) {
-            break;
-        }
-        swap(&d[smallest], &d[current]);
-        current = smallest;
-        left = current * 2 + 1;
-        right = current * 2 + 2;
-    }
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
diff --git a/heap.h b/heap.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 601745b..0000000
--- a/heap.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-// doesn't ceck for user erros, so no veryfying that the void* supplied are valid
-// unsafe for general use, but just fnuctional enough for the purposes of this project
-// does not maintain ownership of its elements, they are managed by the caller
-#pragma once
-
-#include "stdbool.h"
-
-typedef struct {
-    void** data;
-    int length;
-    int capacity;
-    int (*compare)(const void* a, const void* b);
-} heap;
-
-heap* create_heap(int size, int (*comparison)(const void* a, const void* b));
-void destroy_heap(heap* h);
-
-int heap_pop(heap* h, void** out);
-int heap_push(heap* h, void* in);
diff --git a/heap_test.c b/heap_test.c
deleted file mode 100644
index 2769954..0000000
--- a/heap_test.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,302 +0,0 @@
-// the tests are ai generated, with prompt based on the heap.h file
-#include "heap.h"
-#include <assert.h>
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
-
-// Comparator for integers
-int compare_ints(const void* a, const void* b)
-{
-    int ia = *(const int*)a;
-    int ib = *(const int*)b;
-    return (ia > ib) - (ia < ib);
-}
-
-// Comparator for doubles
-int compare_doubles(const void* a, const void* b)
-{
-    double da = *(const double*)a;
-    double db = *(const double*)b;
-    if (da < db)
-        return -1;
-    if (da > db)
-        return 1;
-    return 0;
-}
-
-// Test structure
-typedef struct {
-    int priority;
-    char name[32];
-} Task;
-
-// Comparator for tasks (by priority)
-int compare_tasks(const void* a, const void* b)
-{
-    const Task* ta = (const Task*)a;
-    const Task* tb = (const Task*)b;
-    return (ta->priority > tb->priority) - (ta->priority < tb->priority);
-}
-
-void test_basic_push_pop()
-{
-    printf("Test: Basic push and pop... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(5, compare_ints);
-    int values[] = { 5, 3, 7, 1, 9 };
-
-    // Push all values
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_push(h, &values[i]);
-    }
-
-    // Pop and verify they come out in sorted order
-    void* out;
-    int expected[] = { 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 };
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        assert(*(int*)out == expected[i]);
-    }
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_single_element()
-{
-    printf("Test: Single element... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(1, compare_ints);
-    int val = 42;
-
-    heap_push(h, &val);
-
-    void* out;
-    heap_pop(h, &out);
-    assert(*(int*)out == 42);
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_already_sorted()
-{
-    printf("Test: Already sorted input... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(5, compare_ints);
-    int values[] = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_push(h, &values[i]);
-    }
-
-    void* out;
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        assert(*(int*)out == i + 1);
-    }
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_reverse_sorted()
-{
-    printf("Test: Reverse sorted input... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(5, compare_ints);
-    int values[] = { 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 };
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_push(h, &values[i]);
-    }
-
-    void* out;
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        assert(*(int*)out == i + 1);
-    }
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_duplicates()
-{
-    printf("Test: Duplicate values... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(7, compare_ints);
-    int values[] = { 3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, 2 };
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < 7; i++) {
-        heap_push(h, &values[i]);
-    }
-
-    void* out;
-    int expected[] = { 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 };
-    for (int i = 0; i < 7; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        assert(*(int*)out == expected[i]);
-    }
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_with_doubles()
-{
-    printf("Test: Double precision values... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(5, compare_doubles);
-    double values[] = { 3.14, 1.41, 2.71, 0.57, 1.61 };
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_push(h, &values[i]);
-    }
-
-    void* out;
-    double expected[] = { 0.57, 1.41, 1.61, 2.71, 3.14 };
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        assert(*(double*)out == expected[i]);
-    }
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_with_structs()
-{
-    printf("Test: Custom struct (tasks by priority)... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(4, compare_tasks);
-    Task tasks[] = {
-        { 3, "Low priority" },
-        { 1, "High priority" },
-        { 2, "Medium priority" },
-        { 1, "Also high priority" }
-    };
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-        heap_push(h, &tasks[i]);
-    }
-
-    void* out;
-    int expected_priorities[] = { 1, 1, 2, 3 };
-    for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        Task* t = (Task*)out;
-        assert(t->priority == expected_priorities[i]);
-    }
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_interleaved_operations()
-{
-    printf("Test: Interleaved push/pop... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(10, compare_ints);
-    int values[] = { 5, 3, 7, 1, 9, 2, 8, 4, 6, 0 };
-
-    // Push 5, pop 1, push 3 more, pop 2, etc.
-    heap_push(h, &values[0]); // 5
-    heap_push(h, &values[1]); // 3
-    heap_push(h, &values[2]); // 7
-
-    void* out;
-    heap_pop(h, &out);
-    assert(*(int*)out == 3);
-
-    heap_push(h, &values[3]); // 1
-    heap_push(h, &values[4]); // 9
-    heap_push(h, &values[5]); // 2
-
-    heap_pop(h, &out);
-    assert(*(int*)out == 1);
-    heap_pop(h, &out);
-    assert(*(int*)out == 2);
-
-    heap_push(h, &values[6]); // 8
-    heap_push(h, &values[7]); // 4
-
-    heap_pop(h, &out);
-    assert(*(int*)out == 4);
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_large_heap()
-{
-    printf("Test: Large heap (1000 elements)... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(1000, compare_ints);
-    int* values = malloc(1000 * sizeof(int));
-
-    // Insert values in random-ish order
-    for (int i = 0; i < 1000; i++) {
-        values[i] = (i * 7 + 13) % 1000;
-        heap_push(h, &values[i]);
-    }
-
-    // Pop all and verify sorted
-    void* out;
-    int prev = -1;
-    for (int i = 0; i < 1000; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        int curr = *(int*)out;
-        assert(curr >= prev);
-        prev = curr;
-    }
-
-    free(values);
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-void test_all_same_values()
-{
-    printf("Test: All same values... ");
-
-    heap* h = create_heap(5, compare_ints);
-    int val = 42;
-    int values[5];
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        values[i] = val;
-        heap_push(h, &values[i]);
-    }
-
-    void* out;
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        heap_pop(h, &out);
-        assert(*(int*)out == 42);
-    }
-
-    destroy_heap(h);
-    printf("PASSED\n");
-}
-
-int main()
-{
-    printf("Running Min Heap Tests\n");
-    printf("======================\n\n");
-
-    test_basic_push_pop();
-    test_single_element();
-    test_already_sorted();
-    test_reverse_sorted();
-    test_duplicates();
-    test_with_doubles();
-    test_with_structs();
-    test_interleaved_operations();
-    test_large_heap();
-    test_all_same_values();
-
-    printf("\n======================\n");
-    printf("All tests PASSED! ✓\n");
-
-    return 0;
-}
diff --git a/main.c b/main.c
deleted file mode 100644
index d6e6acf..0000000
--- a/main.c
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,120 +0,0 @@
-#include "buffer.h"
-#include "config.h"
-#include "record.h"
-#include "status_codes.h"
-#include <sys/stat.h>
-#include <sys/types.h>
-#include <time.h>
-#include <unistd.h>
-
-int generate_file(int N, const char* filename)
-{
-    srand(time(0));
-    FILE* f = fopen(filename, "w");
-    record rec;
-
-    for (int i = 0; i < N; i++) {
-        random_record(&rec);
-        print_record(f, &rec);
-        fprintf(f, "\n");
-    }
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
-
-int sort_file(Configuration* opts)
-{
-    buffer* buff = create_buffer(opts->b * opts->n);
-    FILE* in = fopen(opts->input_file, "r");
-    int runs;
-    // <stage 1>
-    for (runs = 0; true; runs++) {
-        //     read buffer
-        int status = read_buffer(buff, in);
-        if (status != SUCCESS && status != EOF) {
-            fclose(in);
-            destroy_buffer(buff);
-        }
-        //     sort buffer
-        sort_buffer(buff);
-        //     write run
-        char* filename = malloc(256);
-        sprintf(filename, "%s/%d", opts->directory, runs);
-        FILE* tmp = fopen(filename, "w");
-        write_buffer(buff, tmp);
-        // write_buffer_debug(buff, stdout);
-        fclose(tmp);
-        free(filename);
-        if (status != SUCCESS) {
-            break;
-        }
-    }
-    printf("created runs: %d\n", runs);
-
-    // <stage 2>
-    while (runs > 1) {
-
-        // split buffers
-        // read buffers
-        for (int i = 0; i < opts->b - 1; i++) {
-        }
-
-        // b-1 runs are turned into one, so the total is reduced by b-2
-        runs -= (opts->b - 2);
-    }
-    fclose(in);
-    destroy_buffer(buff);
-    return SUCCESS;
-}
-
-int main(int argc, char** argv)
-{
-    Configuration opts;
-    if (argc <= 1) {
-        // #todo: stdin input
-        fprintf(stderr, "please specify input args\n");
-        return ERROR;
-    }
-    int result = process_args(argc, argv, &opts);
-    if (result != SUCCESS) {
-        return result;
-    }
-    if (opts.generate_data) {
-        return generate_file(opts.N, opts.output_file);
-    }
-    sort_file(&opts);
-}
-// int sort_block(tape* t, buffer* buff)
-// {
-//     static int counter = 0;
-//     int status = read_buffer(buff, t);
-//     if (status != SUCCESS && status != EOF) {
-//         fprintf(stderr, "Error reading file: %d\n", status);
-//         return status;
-//     }
-
-//     sort_buffer(buff);
-//     printf("sorted the buffer %d, the results:\n", counter);
-//     print_buffer(buff);
-//     counter++;
-//     return status;
-// }
-
-// int sort_file(options* opts)
-// {
-//     tape a = { 0, 0, opts->input };
-//     buffer buff;
-//     buff.capacity = opts->b * opts->n;
-//     buff.location = malloc(sizeof(record) * buff.capacity);
-//     int status = 0;
-//     while (status == SUCCESS) {
-//         status = sort_block(&a, &buff);
-//     }
-//     if (status != EOF) {
-//         free(buff.location);
-//         fclose(a.file);
-//         return status;
-//     }
-//     free(buff.location);
-//     fclose(a.file);
-//     return SUCCESS;
-// }
diff --git a/makefile b/makefile
index 6dd82d5..437aecf 100644
--- a/makefile
+++ b/makefile
@@ -1,19 +1,7 @@
-CFLAGS = -g
+CFLAGS = -g -lc++
 
-build/main: build/main.o build/config.o build/buffer.o build/heap.o
-	clang $(CFLAGS) build/main.o  build/config.o build/buffer.o build/heap.o -o build/main
-
-build/main.o: main.c build
-	clang $(CFLAGS) -c main.c -o build/main.o
-
-build/config.o: config.c build
-	clang $(CFLAGS) -c config.c -o build/config.o
-
-build/buffer.o: buffer.c build
-	clang $(CFLAGS) -c buffer.c -o build/buffer.o
-
-build/heap.o: heap.c build
-	clang $(CFLAGS) -c heap.c -o build/heap.o
+build/main: main.cpp build
+	clang $(CFLAGS) main.cpp -o build/main
 
 build:
 	mkdir -p build
@@ -27,22 +15,15 @@ build/run/tmp: build/run
 clean:
 	rm -rf build
 
+generate: build/run/1.in
+
 build/run/1.in: build/run build/main
 	build/main -g -o build/run/1.in
 
 run: build/main build/run/1.in build/run/tmp
 	build/main -i build/run/1.in -d build/run/tmp | less
 
-build/heap_test.o: heap_test.c build
-	clang $(CFLAGS) -c heap_test.c -o build/heap_test.o
-
-build/test: build/heap_test.o build/heap.o
-	clang $(CFLAGS) build/heap_test.o build/heap.o -o build/test
-
-test: build/test
-	build/test
-
 debug: build/main tests/1.in
 	lldb -- build/main
 
-.PHONY: clean run debug test
+.PHONY: clean run debug test generate
diff --git a/record.h b/record.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 265b2c5..0000000
--- a/record.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,57 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#include <stdio.h>
-#include <stdlib.h>
-
-typedef struct {
-    int a[5];
-    int x;
-} record;
-
-static inline int g(const record* x)
-{
-    int out = 0;
-    int x_n = 1;
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        out += x->a[i] * x_n;
-        x_n *= x->x;
-    }
-    return out;
-}
-
-static inline int compare_records(const void* a, const void* b)
-{
-    const record* ra = (const record*)a;
-    const record* rb = (const record*)b;
-    int ga = g(ra);
-    int gb = g(rb);
-    int result = (ga > gb) - (ga < gb);
-    return result;
-}
-
-static inline int print_record(FILE* stream, const record* out)
-{
-    return fprintf(stream, "%d %d %d %d %d %d",
-        out->a[0], out->a[1], out->a[2], out->a[3], out->a[4], out->x);
-}
-
-static inline int read_record(FILE* stream, record* out)
-{
-    record tmp;
-    int result = fscanf(stream, "%d %d %d %d %d %d", &tmp.a[0], &tmp.a[1], &tmp.a[2], &tmp.a[3], &tmp.a[4], &tmp.x);
-    if (result == 6) {
-        *out = tmp;
-        return 0;
-    }
-    if (result == EOF) {
-        return EOF;
-    }
-    return -2;
-}
-
-static inline void random_record(record* out)
-{
-    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
-        out->a[i] = rand();
-    }
-    out->x = rand();
-}
diff --git a/status_codes.h b/status_codes.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 9866402..0000000
--- a/status_codes.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#define END_PROGRAM -1
-#define SUCCESS 0
-#define ERROR -2
-#define NO_SPACE -3