1. A method of operating a content addressable memory (CAM) device, comprising: receiving an input data having a plurality of bit groups, wherein a first bit group has a first position in the input data relative to other bit groups; programming first translation information using a bit in a binary pattern to represent the first bit group; translating, in response to the first translation information, the first bit group from the first position to a different position in a comparand; and comparing the comparand with data stored in a CAM array.