Method of, and apparatus for, searching a table in a memory

A method of searching a table stored in a memory for a record identifying a stored data word corresponding to a binary input data word, wherein the table is comprised of a plurality of records containing a select value field, a left search table address field, a right search table address field, and left and right search table address leaf fields, comprised of (a) indicating a particular single bit of the binary input data word based on a value stored in a select value field, (b) reading either the left or right search table address fields of the record containing the value stored in the first select value field, depending on the binary value of the particular single bit of the input data word indicated, (c) in the event a leaf field corresponding to the read left or right search table address stores a first binary value, repeating steps (a) and (b) using a record identified by the read left or right search table address, (d) in the event a left field corresponding to the read left or right search table address stores a second binary values, terminating the search and use the left or right search table address as an address for the data word stored in a second table.