One-pass general associative search processor

摘要

An apparatus for searching stored data in accordance wit a search specification established by a digital computer. The data is stored in data tracks which form the storing medium on a memory device. The data is in the form of logical records, each record comprising a number of data fields. The search specification designates one or more of the data fields as range fields and may designate one field as a value field. The search specification also includes range field values and range field operators for each designated range field, and a value field operator for the designated value field. The apparatus includes a first processor, which comprises a variable number of first subprocessors equal to the number of data tracks simultaneously applied to the input of the apparatus. Each first subprocessor is operative to apply the range field values and operators against the designated range fields, and may also apply them against the designated value field, of each successive record in a data track. This process is referred to as range testing and results in the identification of those logical records which satisfy all the range tests. The designated value field is recognized during range testing and its content is stored. A second processor applies the value operator against the designated value field previously recognized and stored during range testing, and determines which value field, and hence which record, best satisfies the value test among those presented simultaneously at its input. The results of the second processor are then used to update the indication of the one record best satisfying both the range and value tests of all the records previously presented to the apparatus.