SOUNDEX
SOUN
DEX item-1 item-2
produce soundex code from an INFO character item for matching similar sounding names
arguments
item-1 character_item containing the string to be
SOUNDEXed
item-2 character_item to receive the code. (must be four characters wide)
discussion
The SOUNDEX command is used where there is need to retrieve names that sound similar, e.g. Smith and Smythe.
Typically the SOUNDEX code will be generated at data input time. At enquiry time the required name will be
‘SOUNDEX’ and the generated SOUNDEX code used to reselect for matches on the SOUNDEX code in the data file e.g.
IPF some-input-form
SOUNDEX SURNAME SOUNDEX-NAME
FORMAT $CHR1,25
FORMAT $CHR40,4
DIS ‘enter required name>=
ACCEPT $CHR1
SOUNDEX $CHR1 $CHR40
RES FOR SOUNDEX-NAME = $CHR40
When defining the datafile containing an item to be matched by SOUNDEX, be sure to add a four-character item to store the SOUNDEX value.
INFO Reference Manual Commands 489
