There was a really good discussion of doing this sort of thing here Searching large files before browser timeout which includes (amongst other things) a node I wrote one way to do this and also a link to one of merlyn's columns on the same subject which covers the topic in detail.

cheers

tachyon

s&&rsenoyhcatreve&&&s&n.+t&"$'$`$\"$\&"&ee&&y&srve&&d&&print