A device searches a file being recorded that includes lines sorted in accordance with keys included in the lines to find a line that matches a pattern. When the device receives a pattern, it initializes upper and lower limits of a search range and calculates a middle position between the limits. It acquires, from the file, a middle line that starts at or before the middle position and ends after it. If the key included in the middle line matches the pattern, it outputs the middle line and re-sets the upper or lower limit based on whether the key included in the middle line is greater or less than the pattern and, if there is a distance greater than a length of a newline between the limits, repeats the procedure starting from the middle position. Otherwise, it outputs a result to the effect that no matching line has been found.