Abstract: An associative memory that finds the location of at least one string of characters in the associative memory that matches a string of characters presented sequentially as an input to the associative memory. The string of characters in the associative memory, the input string of characters, or both may include a specially marked characters, or set of characters, that acts as a "variable indicator." The specially marked character, or set of characters, will "match" a portion of the other string. A flag is set in the associative memory at either the starting locations or the ending locations of the matching strings. Flags are provided only at locations of stored matching strings of characters found within a selected addressable area or areas. Each flag can be moved from a first byte to a second byte in the associative memory that has a predetermined location relative to the first byte.