9. The method of claim 9 wherein said linking step (c.4) comprises the steps of: (c.4.1) creating a leaf chain by sequentially linking each childless node in said LRU chain; and (c.4.2) combining with its parent node one or more child nodes in said leaf chain, said child nodes each having a single-child parent node for which said use count value differs by no more than one from said use count value for said each child node, thereby forming one or more new leaf nodes.
9. The method of claim 9 wherein said linking step (c.4) comprises the steps of: (c.4.1) creating a leaf chain by sequentially linking each childless node in said LRU chain; and (c.4.2) combining with its parent node one or more child nodes in said leaf chain, said child nodes each having a single-child parent node for which said use count value differs by no more than one from said use count value for said each child node, thereby forming one or more new leaf nodes.