Abstract: Method and means are disclosed for determining a particular criterion value and an associated positional value for a degree of match between the juxtaposition of a plurality of events of a query and a plurality of events of a stored data base entry. The method and means use a processing means having a plurality of data stores and a temporary store for each data store. Each data store stores a group of data values. The data values are priorly formed and represent the number of event positions between the occurrence of events in the query and the occurrence of the corresponding events in the stored data base. The processing means using the plurality data stores, the temporary stores and the data values stored therein form determined data values and sum-of-distance values which are then used by a utilizing means for in turn deriving a criterion value and a positional value corresponding to the degree of match between the query and the data base.

Abstract: Method and means using order of occurrence of entries and of events within entries for creating a data base and/or for finding a predetermined degree of match between the order of occurrence of events and entries in a request and a stored data base and/or for recreating an input in the original order of occurrence from a data base representing the order of occurrence of entries and events.