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Abstract

A computer system and method for performing rapid and multi-dimensional word searches upon specification of a search space and specification of a search query. The search space identifies a plurality of objects, whether directly or through means of an index, each object comprising a plurality of words. The search query comprises a plurality of words and a plurality of attributes, the attributes defining the conditions imposed on the search. The search query is processed in two steps. In the first step, a parser evaluates the search query and creates a data structure based on the words and the attributes in the search query and the scope of an index, if the search space includes an index. The parser allows a rich syntax of attributes as well as complex (multi-dimensional) combinations of attributes. In the second step, an evaluator generates a list of objects in the search space which satisfy the search query by scanning the search space with the data structure. The evaluator scans object data where the search space identifies at least one object; scans index data where the search space identifies at least one index of objects and the indexes are sufficient to resolve the search query; and scans complex combinations of object data and index data where index data alone is insufficient to resolve the search query.

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