Abstract: A system and method for the efficient execution of interleaved look-up and edit request to a connection table in an ATM exchange is described. This global address of an ATM cell is mapped to a smaller, equipment-specific local address using a connection table stored at each local exchange. When an ATM cell arrives at an ATM exchange, a look-up request is sent to the connection table along with the global address values. Since the database operating system accords the highest priority to look-up requests, queries to the connection table for the local address of an ATM cell results in the temporary suspension of execution of all other tasks. A binary search algorithm is used for executing the interrupt-driven local address look-up request. Entries in the connection table continually need to be added, deleted, replaced or verified. Efficient execution of these tasks is facilitated by maintaining a database in a sorted order using an enhanced bubblesort algorithm.