Abstract: A high speed data base search system which contains a general purpose computer coupled to a special purpose processor called the High Speed Search Function or HSSF. The HSSF may be external to the computer having a standard Input/Output communication path. An alternative approach places the HSSF internal to the computer providing communication via an internal bus. The HSSF is identical in either configuration except for the interface logic. The HSSF is programmable by the computer to perform complex searches on variable size data bases. The internal memory of the HSSF is loaded with the data base to be searched. Registers within the HSSF are loaded with reference words which define the search bounds. The field format register of the HSSF is loaded with a definition of the data base. The field comparison register is loaded to define the field-by-field search criteria. The Boolean Expression loaded into the HSSF defines which compare results are to be considered a hit.