Multipattern regular expression search systems and methods therefor

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to a tool, system, and method for searching input data. The system may include a pattern input module, configured to receive regular expression patterns of symbols. An interpreter module may be configured to access individual ones of the symbols of the input data and upon accessing each symbol and compare a thread against the symbol. For each pattern, the thread corresponding to the pattern is compared against the symbol prior to the at least one thread being compared against a subsequent symbol of the input data. An output module may be configured to output an indication of ones of the patterns determined to be contained within the input data based on the comparison of the corresponding at least one thread to the symbols of the input data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system configured to search input data including symbols, comprising:
 a pattern input module, configured to receive regular expression patterns of symbols;   an interpreter module, configured to access individual ones of the symbols of the input data and, upon accessing each symbol, compare at least one thread against the symbol, the at least one thread being based on at least one of the patterns and each of the patterns corresponding to at least one of the threads;   wherein, for each pattern, the at least one thread corresponding to the pattern is compared against the symbol prior to the at least one thread being compared against a subsequent symbol of the input data; and   an output module configured to output an indication of ones of the patterns determined to be contained within the input data based on the comparison of the corresponding at least one thread to the symbols of the input data.