Processing of a data set

It is proposed to find at least one hit in a large amount of data on the basis of a graphical search pattern, wherein the graphical search pattern is preferably created or from a user via a graphical interface modified. It is of advantage that the user can intuitively implement complex searches and can use a graphical representation of properties and / or contexts to search specifically. The invention can be used for example in data mining in the monitoring of conditions or in automated alarms.