A system includes elements for encoding data concerning the objects by (a) setting up a table (T) with hierarchical structure of the set of attributes (Cna) and contents (Cnu) associated with the objects; and (b) setting up for each stored object a file wherein each attribute of the object and its contents is identified by the specific code assigned to the attribute-contents pair in the table. The system comprises calculating and interfacing elements for (c) constructing a first table containing the set of stored files concerning a request; (d) constructing a second table containing the set of contents present in any of the files of the first table; (e) presenting successive selections of attributes and contents in hierarchical order defined in the second table; (f) updating the first table; (g) repeating operations e) and f) until one predetermined condition is fulfilled; and (h) presenting theresult of the search.