A hardware-assisted tuple space, comprising a tuple memory for storing tuples of key-value pairs of data; an anti-tuple memory for storing anti-tuples of key-value pairs of data; tuple attribute array memory for storing selected attributes of respective ones of the tuples and anti-tuples; and an input/output and memory control interface for (i) exchanging tuples and anti-tuples between an external process and the tuple and anti-tuple memories, (ii) performing preliminary searches of the tuple attribute array memory to identify possible matching tuples and anti-tuples, and (iii) comparing the key-value pairs of the possible matching tuples and anti-tuples to identify actual matching tuples and anti-tuples.