Method for storing and retreiving files by generating an array having plurality of sub-arrays each of which include a digit of file identification numbers

In a computer storing a plurality of files in a memory device, each said file being assigned a unique identification number, a fast search computer program product for retrieving said files, said fast search computer program product stored in computer-readable memory and executed by said computer comprising:

• an array, said array being divided into a number of sub-arrays, with the number of sub-arrays equaling the number of digits in said identification numbers;
• a host array;
• a controller operating said fast search computer program product to control:
• loading the address in said memory device of each file into said host array as each file is created;
• loading each digit of each identification number for each file into a sub-array as each file is created, whereby one sub-array contains all the digits in a given position for each said identification number, and wherein each sub-array has a first dimension equal to the possible values of the digit stored in said sub-array and a second dimension equal to a predetermined maximum number of jobs stored in said sub-array;
• selecting an identification number for a selected file to be retrieved;
• generating a mask of width equal to said predetermined maximum number of jobs stored in said sub-array;
• finding said selected file in said sub-arrays by ANDing said mask with a portion of each said sub-array, said portion of said sub-arrays identified by the value in said first dimension of said sub-arrays that corresponds to the value of said digits in said identifier number for said selected file;
• calculating the location in said host array of the address corresponding to said selected file using the position in said sub-arrays of said digits in said identifier number for said selected file;
• and
• retrieving said selected file from said memory device using said address from said host array.

In a computer storing a plurality of files in a memory device, each file having a file identification number comprising a plurality of digits, a method for storing a file in said memory device, using a host array and a pointer array, said pointer array comprising a plurality of pointer sub-arrays, comprising the steps of:

• assigning a file identification number to said file;
• selecting an address for storing said file;
• creating an entry for said host array for said file, said host array entry comprising a pointer pointing to said address;
• storing said file identification number in said pointer array so that each said digit of said file identification number is stored in a different pointer sub-array;
• and
• storing said file at said address.

A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for storing and retrieving a file in a memory device using a host array and a pointer array, said pointer array comprising a plurality of pointer sub-arrays, comprising the steps of:

• A. receiving a file identification number for said file, said file identification number comprising a plurality of digits;
• B. selecting an address for storing said file;
• C. creating an entry for said host array for said file, said host array entry comprising a pointer pointing to said address;
• D. storing said file identification number in said pointer array so that each digit of said file identification number is stored in a different pointer sub-array;
• E. storing said file at said address;
• F. receiving a request to retrieve said file;
• said request including said file identification number;
• G. using said file identification number to identify said host array entry;
• H. using said host array entry to identify said address;
• and
• I. retrieving said file from said address.