Indexing and searching numeric ranges

A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon an index entry data structure, comprising:

• a first portion indicative of said index entry being indicative of a range of values, wherein the minimum value and maximum value of said range of values are different;
• a second portion indicative of said range of values, said second portion comprising:
• a first part indicative of a predetermined value and a second part indicative of a range of values;
• a populated index with a set of index entries comprising a minimum number of index entries that includes an entire range of numerical values, in which each index entry provides an indication of a respective portion of said range of values associated with the index entry, wherein a value representable by the range corresponds to only one entry in the index;
• a data structure of a formatted query value comprises a number of digit positions, wherein each digit position comprises a digit value;
• a data structure of a first search term of said plurality of search terms comprises a don't care indicator in each digit position of said first search term, wherein said don't care indicator indicates that any value can be placed at said digit position;
• and
• a data structure for each subsequent search term of said plurality of search terms comprises:
• a replica of a previously constructed search term with a don't care indicator replaced with a digit value in a corresponding digit position of said formatted query value.

A system for indexing a range of numeric values, said system comprising:

• a memory portion for:
• storing an index entry data structure comprising:
• a first portion to indicate that said index entry comprises a predetermined minimum value and maximum value that represents a range of numeric values, where said minimum value is different than said maximum value;
• and
• a second portion comprising:
• a non-variable portion having a fixed value and a variable portion comprising said range of numeric values;
• and
• storing a plurality of search terms indicative of a query value;
• a processor portion configured to:
• populate an index with a set of index entries comprising the minimum number of index entries necessary to include all index entries within the predetermined range of numerical values, wherein a value representable by the range corresponds to only one entry in the index;
• compare each of said index entry with each of said search terms;
• and
• format said query value, wherein said formatted query value comprises a number of digit positions;
• determine a number of search terms in said plurality of search terms to be equal to one plus said number of formatted query value digit positions;
• construct a first search term of said plurality of search terms by placing a don't care indicator in each digit position of said first search term, wherein said don't care indicator indicates that any value can be placed at said digit position;
• and
• construct each subsequent search term of said plurality of search terms by:
• replicating a previously constructed search term;
• and
• replacing a don't care indicator with a digit value in a corresponding digit position of said formatted query value
• an input/output portion for:
• providing, in each index entry, an indication of a respective portion of said range of numeric values associated with said matching index entry, if said comparison results in a match between said index entry and a search term.

A processor-implemented method for creating a set of numeric index values covering a range of values to be indexed, said method comprising:

• providing an index entry data structure comprising:
• a first portion to indicate that said index entry comprises a predetermined minimum value and maximum value that represents a range of numeric values, wherein said minimum value is different than said maximum value;
• and
• a second portion comprising:
• a non-variable portion having a fixed value;
• and
• a variable portion comprising said range of numeric values;
• populating, via the processor, an index with a set of index entries comprising the minimum number of index entries necessary to include all index entries within the predetermined range of numerical values, wherein a value representable by the range corresponds to only one entry in the index;
• formatting said query value, wherein said formatted query value comprises a number of digit positions;
• determining a number of search terms in said plurality of search terms to be equal to one plus said number of formatted query value digit positions;
• constructing a first search term of said plurality of search terms by placing a don't care indicator in each digit position of said first search term, wherein said don't care indicator indicates that any value can be placed at said digit position;
• constructing each subsequent search term of said plurality of search terms by:
• replicating a previously constructed search term;
• and
• replacing a don't care indicator with a digit value in a corresponding digit position of said formatted query value;
• providing a plurality of search terms indicative of a query value;
• comparing each of said index entries with each of said search terms;
• and
• if said act of comparing results in a match between said index entry and a search term, providing, in each index entry, an indication of a respective portion of said range of numeric values associated with said matching index entry.