Full match (FM) search algorithm implementation for a network processor

A computer system comprising:

• a computer readable medium containing a plurality of data structures, for finding a match for a variable length search key, said data structure including:
• a first pattern;
• a direct table stores a first address location for a search tree;
• a plurality of pattern search control blocks wherein pattern search control block represents a branch in the search tree;
• a plurality of leaves wherein each leaf is an address location for storing predefined information relative to said first pattern;
• and
• a search tree engine to correlate the first pattern with information stored in selected ones of the plurality of data structures and forward the predefined information found in a leaf included in the selected ones of the plurality of data structure if a match occurs between the first pattern and a second pattern stored in said leaf wherein a format for the direct table includes at least one of the search control block including a next pattern address points to a next pattern search control block, a leaf control block address points to one of the plurality of leaves, a next bit or bits to test and a direct leaf.