A transactional memory (TM) includes a selectable bank of hardware algorithm prework engines, a selectable bank of hardware lookup engines, and a memory unit. The memory unit stores result values (RVs), instructions, and lookup data operands. The transactional memory receives a lookup command across a bus from one of a plurality of processors. The lookup command includes a source identification value, data, a table number value, and a table set value. In response to the lookup command, the transactional memory selects one hardware algorithm prework engine and one hardware lookup engine to perform the lookup operation. The selected hardware algorithm prework engine modifies data included in the lookup command. The selected hardware lookup engine performs a lookup operation using the modified data and lookup operands provided by the memory unit. In response to performing the lookup operation, the transactional memory returns a result value and optionally an instruction.