Method of encoding a dataset

A method of representing a dataset having a plurality of elements characterized by a plurality of relations, the method comprising the following steps. A first step includes, slicing at least a portion of the dataset into a plurality of slices, each of the slices comprises a portion of the plurality of elements. A second step includes, for each element of the plurality of elements, assigning a set of identifiers, each identifier of the set being characterized by a position within the set, the position representing one of the slices. A third step includes, for each element of the plurality of elements, assigning an interval, the interval representing at least one relation of the element to at least one element of the plurality of elements.