Searching an array of multi-byte elements using an n-byte search instruction

A computer program product for effectively searching for values in a multi-byte array of elements using an n-byte search instruction, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable storage mediums having program code embodied therewith, the program code comprising programming instructions for:

• receiving values to be searched in an N-byte array of elements in a loop of a program, wherein the N corresponds to n*constant, wherein the n is an element size of a target search instruction;
• optimizing the loop of the program by searching for the received values at a starting address of the N-byte array of elements using the n-byte search instruction;
• receiving a return address in response to searching for the received values at the starting address of the N-byte array of elements using the n-byte search instruction;
• and
• identifying a search value of the received values in the N-byte array of elements in response to the return address pointing to an address found in a lowest n-bytes of the N-byte array of elements and an element of the address corresponds to the search value.

A system, comprising:

• a memory for storing a computer program for effectively searching for values in a multi-byte array of elements using an n-byte search instruction;
• and
• a processor connected to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions of the computer program comprising:
• receiving values to be searched in an N-byte array of elements in a loop of a program, wherein the N corresponds to n*constant, wherein the n is an element size of a target search instruction;
• optimizing the loop of the program by searching for the received values at a starting address of the N-byte array of elements using the n-byte search instruction;
• receiving a return address in response to searching for the received values at the starting address of the N-byte array of elements using the n-byte search instruction;
• and
• identifying a search value of the received values in the N-byte array of elements in response to the return address pointing to an address found in a lowest n-bytes of the N-byte array of elements and an element of the address corresponds to the search value.