A substring can be detected within a string of data elements through a method that includes partitioning and distributing the string of data elements to an ordered list of segments having equal lengths greater than or equal to the length of the substring. A substring match within a segment of the ordered list of segments can be detected by sequentially comparing the substring with each segment of the ordered list of segments. A carry vector that includes the substring match can be created, in response to detecting the substring match that is a partial match. It can be determined that a carry vector exists by comparing the substring with the segment of the ordered list of segments, and it can be subsequently determined that a full match exists between the carry vector and the segment of the ordered list of segments.