1. A machine-implemented method for processing a binary vector, the method comprising: (a) generating binary-vector index values for bits of the binary vector, wherein each binary-vector index value corresponds to a bit of the binary vector that is equal to a specified bit value; and (b) distributing the binary-vector index values substantially uniformly to M parallel output paths regardless of arrangement of the bits in the binary vector, wherein step (a) comprises: (a1) determining sub-vector index values for bits of a sub-vector of the binary vector, wherein each sub-vector index value corresponds to one of the bits of the sub-vector; and (a2) generating the binary-vector index values by applying processing to the sub-vector index values, wherein the processing comprises applying a masking technique to the sub-vector index values based on the bits of the sub-vector.