Abstract: Process for the management of address words which determines destination addresses for the switching of data on the basis of input address words of (M+N) bits. The process includes the following steps:on the basis of two input address words, separation of each one of these words into two fields of M and N bits respectivelycombination of these fields in accordance with a law of composition of non-commutative groups in order to deliver destination addresses emanating from the combination.The composition laws which are implemented necessitate only simple operations. Also a unit for the management of address words. This permits reduction of the addressing periods in searching for data, for example when they are stored in memory.