Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method for searching for a record in a table in a memory of a computer system. A table of records is organized into a group of arrays. A hashing algorithm locates a record in the table. Multiple hashing functions are executed concurrently, according to the number of arrays in the group, such that the record can be located relatively quickly in one of the arrays in the group. The table is analyzed to determine the information content of each bit in a string of bits comprising an index value associated with the table, according to Shannon's formula for information-theoretic entropy. The entropy associated with each bit in the string of bits provides a basis for selecting a subset of bits in the string of bits from which to obtain the seed values utilized in the hashing functions. A rotating mask, based on Neumann's code, is applied to the subset of bits to obtain different seed values for each of the hashing functions, thereby minimizing the correlation of the keys provided by the hashing functions.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim