12. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein, after said searching step, the method includes the step of testing a highest ranked character code for an exact match with said incoming character code, and in the event of an exact match, by-passing said selecting step.
12. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein, after said searching step, the method includes the step of testing a highest ranked character code for an exact match with said incoming character code, and in the event of an exact match, by-passing said selecting step. 15. A method as claimed in claim 12 for use in association with a series of incoming character codes wherein each step in said method is carried out by physical apparatus and the method further comprises the steps of initializing all said apparatus, whereby to accept a next incoming character code, and repeating all previous steps until the entire said series has been validated.