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Release 6.8.2


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Returns a two-element array of primary and secondary phonetic encodings for an input string, based on the Double Metaphone algorithm.

The Double Metaphone algorithm processes an input string to render a primary and secondary spelling for it. For English language words, the algorithm removes silent letters, normalizes combinations of characters to a single definition, and removes vowels, except from the beginnings of words. In this manner, the algorithm can normalize inconsistencies between spellings for better matching. For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphone.

Tip: This function is useful for performing fuzzy matching between string values, such as between potential join key values.

Source values can be string literals, column references, or expressions that evaluate to strings.

Basic Usage

String literal reference example:

doublemetaphone('My String')

Output: See below.

["MSTRNK","MSTRNK"]

 Column reference example:

doublemetaphone(string1)

Output: Generates a new double_metaphone column containing the evaluation of string1 column values through the Double Metaphone algorithm.

Syntax and Arguments

doublemetaphone(string_ref)


ArgumentRequired?Data TypeDescription
string_refYstringName of column or string literal to apply to the function

For more information on syntax standards, see Language Documentation Syntax Notes.

string_ref1

String literal, column reference, or expression whose elements you want to filter through the Double Metaphone algorithm.

Usage Notes:

Required?Data TypeExample Value
YesString literal, column reference, or expression evaluating to a stringmyString1


Examples


Tip: For additional examples, see Common Tasks.

Example - Phonetic string comparisons

This example illustrates how the following Double Metaphone algorithm functions operate in  Designer Cloud Enterprise Edition.
  • DOUBLEMETAPHONE - Computes a primary and secondary phonetic encoding for an input string. Encodings are returned as a two-element array. See DOUBLEMETAPHONE Function.
  • DOUBLEMETAPHONEQUALS - Compares two input strings using the Double Metaphone algorithm. Returns true if they phonetically match. See DOUBLEMETAPHONEEQUALS Function.

Source:

The following table contains some example strings to be compared. 

string1string2notes
My Stringmy stringcomparison is case-insensitive
judgejugetypo
knocknocksilent letters
whitewitemissing letters
recordrecordtwo different words in English but match the same
pairpearthese match but are different words.
bookkeeperbook keeperspaces cause failures in comparison
test1test123digits are not compared
the end.the end….punctuation differences do not matter.
a elephantan elephanta and an are treated differently.


Transformation:

You can use the DOUBLEMETAPHONE function to generate phonetic spellings, as in the following:

Transformation Name New formula
Parameter: Formula type Single row formula
Parameter: Formula DOUBLEMETAPHONE(string1)
Parameter: New column name 'dblmeta_s1'

You can compare string1 and string2 using the DOUBLEMETAPHONEEQUALS function:

Transformation Name New formula
Parameter: Formula type Single row formula
Parameter: Formula DOUBLEMETAPHONEEQUALS(string1, string2, 'normal')
Parameter: New column name 'compare'

Results:

The following table contains some example strings to be compared. 

string1dblmeta_s1string2compareNotes
My String["MSTRNK","MSTRNK"]my stringTRUEcomparison is case-insensitive
judge["JJ","AJ"]jugeTRUEtypo
knock["NK","NK"]nockTRUEsilent letters
white["AT","AT"]witeTRUEmissing letters
record["RKRT","RKRT"]recordTRUEtwo different words in English but match the same
pair["PR","PR"]pearTRUEthese match but are different words.
bookkeeper["PKPR","PKPR"]book keeperFALSEspaces cause failures in comparison
test1["TST","TST"]test123TRUEdigits are not compared
the end.["0NT","TNT"]the end….TRUEpunctuation differences do not matter.
a elephant["ALFNT","ALFNT"]an elephantFALSE a and an are treated differently.
 

 

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