A table device that performs a variable length coding and a variable length decoding, comprising: a configuration memory for holding a conversion table which is formed into a search tree having a plurality of nodes, the conversion table containing data conversion values which indicate results of the variable length coding and variable length decoding; a plurality of cells (PE0-PE29) to which the nodes of the search tree are mapped, to each of which a specific comparison object value is assigned, each of which compares said comparison object value with input data when receiving a comparison instruction signal, and each of which outputs a matching signal when said comparison object value matches said input data; a cell number output means for outputting a cell number indicating a cell in said plurality of cells (PE0-PE29), which outputs the matching signal; a node specifying means for specifying a node corresponding to the cell number outputted from said cell number output means from among the nodes of the search tree; and a cell control means for acquiring a data conversion value assigned to the node specified by said node specifying means from the conversion table in said configuration memory, and for outputting said acquired data conversion value to outside said table device, wherein the conversion table contains a branch code indicating information on a child node which is connected with a branch node in the search tree, and wherein the cell control means is adapted to update, when the data conversion value acquired from the conversion table indicates the branch code, the cell to which the comparison instruction signal is supplied. a configuration memory for holding a conversion table which is formed into a search tree having a plurality of nodes, the conversion table containing data conversion values which indicate results of the variable length coding and variable length decoding; a plurality of cells (PE0-PE29) to which the nodes of the search tree are mapped, to each of which a specific comparison object value is assigned, each of which compares said comparison object value with input data when receiving a comparison instruction signal, and each of which outputs a matching signal when said comparison object value matches said input data; a cell number output means for outputting a cell number indicating a cell in said plurality of cells (PE0-PE29), which outputs the matching signal; a node specifying means for specifying a node corresponding to the cell number outputted from said cell number output means from among the nodes of the search tree; and a cell control means for acquiring a data conversion value assigned to the node specified by said node specifying means from the conversion table in said configuration memory, and for outputting said acquired data conversion value to outside said table device, wherein the conversion table contains a branch code indicating information on a child node which is connected with a branch node in the search tree, and wherein the cell control means is adapted to update, when the data conversion value acquired from the conversion table indicates the branch code, the cell to which the comparison instruction signal is supplied.