Firmware controlled search and verify apparatus and method for a data processing system

A machine implemented process performed by a data processing system for determining whether a first operand comprising a plurality of search indicia such as names, symbols, numbers, or the like, match or are included as elements of a second operand to be searched comprising a list or array of indicia similar to the search indicia, the method comprising the steps of:

• A. storing in a first plurality of storage locations the first operand including said plurality of search indicia;
• B. storing in a second plurality of storage locations the second operand including said plurality of elements to be searched;
• C. comparing each of said search indicia with one of said elements and repeating said comparing operation with the others of said elements to determine whether a match condition exists between one of said elements of said second operand and one of said search indicia of said first operand;
• D. disabling said step of comparing when a match condition is detected;
• and
• E. generating a result, in response to said step of disabling, indicating the identity of the element of the second operand and the search indicia of the first operand producing said match condition.

Apparatus in a data processing system for determining whether each of a plurality of verify indicia such as names, symbols, numbers, or the like comprising a first operand are included as elements of a second operand comprising a list or array of indicia similar to the verify indicia, the apparatus comprising:

• A. a first plurality of storage locations for storing the first operand including the plurality of verify indicia;
• B. a second plurality of storage locations for storing the second operand including the plurality of elements to be verified;
• C. means for comparing each of said verify indicia with each of said elements to determine whether a non-matching condition exists wherein any of said verify indicia is not included in said elements;
• and
• D. means, responsive to the detection by said means for comparing of a non-matching condition for generating an output identifying said particular verify indicia producing said non-matching condition.

A machine implemented process for performing a verify operation in a data processing system to determine whether a plurality of verify indicia such as names, symbols, numbers, or the like, comprising a first operand are included as elements of a second operand comprising a list or array of indicia similar to the verify indicia, the process comprising the steps of:

• A. storing in a first plurality of storage locations the first operand including the plurality of verify indicia;
• B. storing in a second plurality of storage locations the second operand including the plurality of elements to be verified;
• C. comparing each of said verify indicia with each of said elements to determine whether a non-matching condition exists wherein one of said verify indicia is not included in said elements comprising said second operand;
• D. disabling said step of comparing when a non-matching condition is detected between one of said verify indicia and all of said elements comprising said second operand;
• and
• E. generating an output in response to said step of disabling indicating the identity of said particular verify indicia producing said non-matching condition.