Systems and methods for defining attributes for one or more entries in a computer implemented directory structure. The method comprises grouping a set of non-schema attributes associated with a directory entry into a multivalue schema attribute, wherein the multivalue attribute comprises values associated with each of the corresponding non-schema attributes grouped into the multivalue attribute; encoding at least one of the non-schema attributes into a string having one or more parts; and performing computing operations on the non-schema attributes in the directory entries based on content of the encoded strings defined in the multivalue attribute in which the respective non-schema attributes are grouped.