I don't think it is a straight linear scan - there is possible confusion over what the data is:
I have a sizeable array of segments (> 100K), each element basically has a length of about 100-1000 and a start/end value anywhere between 1 and a few hundred million.

If it is just a list of single values then 'a length of about 100-1000' and 'a start/end value anywhere between 1 and a few hundred million' are mutually exclusive.

I may be completely wrong but it would appear that each array element is more involved than just a single value but can be summarised with a start and end value. This make the database more suitable.

There are also the below mentioned storage considerations.

That said if it is just a list of values you are correct - grep or similar would be the way forward.

--tidiness is the memory loss of environmental mnemonics

In reply to Re: Re: indexing segments by EvdB
in thread indexing segments by glwtta

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