Abstract: A method of generating a skip list is disclosed. The skip list comprises a data structure for referencing a plurality of ordered nodes, the data structure having a plurality of linked lists, a total number of the plurality of linked lists being constrained by an available memory of a memory system, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a first node of the plurality of nodes into a predetermined linked list of the plurality of linked lists of the data structure of the skip list in the available memory; promoting the first node to one or more other linked lists based on a first set of criteria; and generating the skip list by inserting at least a second node of the plurality of nodes into the data structure and promoting the second node based on a second set of criteria, said second set of criteria being different from the first set of criteria.