Abstract: A method and means for ascertaining maximal length pattern matches of K characters per cycle between character strings in a reduced amount of time using a pipeline like concurrent dataflow model in which a recursive exhaustive greedy comparison matching between the strings in consistent direction yields a parsing of the longest matches, the recursion being constrained by relations among K, the match length L, and a tracking variable J, said constraints governing further recursions ascertaining prefix extensions from one string to another and any intra-string pattern matches. Embodiments processing K equal to one, two, or three characters at a time are disclosed.