SOUNDEX (Transact-SQL)
Returns a four-character (SOUNDEX) code to evaluate the similarity of two strings.
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Transact-SQL Syntax Conventions
Syntax
SOUNDEX ( character_expression )
Arguments
- character_expression
Is an alphanumeric expression of character data. character_expression can be a constant, variable, or column.
Return Types
varchar
Remarks
SOUNDEX converts an alphanumeric string to a four-character code that is based on how the string sounds when spoken. The first character of the code is the first character of character_expression, converted to upper case. The second through fourth characters of the code are numbers that represent the letters in the expression. The letters A, E, I, O, U, H, W, and Y are ignored unless they are the first letter of the string. Zeroes are added at the end if necessary to produce a four-character code. For more information about the SOUNDEX code, see The Soundex Indexing System.
SOUNDEX codes from different strings can be compared to see how similar the strings sound when spoken. The DIFFERENCE function performs a SOUNDEX on two strings, and returns an integer that represents how similar the SOUNDEX codes are for those strings.
SOUNDEX is collation sensitive. String functions can be nested.
SOUNDEX Compatibility
In previous versions of SQL Server, the SOUNDEX function applied a subset of the SOUNDEX rules. Under database compatibility level 110, SQL Server 2012 applies a more complete set of the rules.
After upgrading to compatibility level 110, you may need to rebuild the indexes, heaps, or CHECK constraints that use the SOUNDEX function.
A heap that contains a persisted computed column defined with SOUNDEX cannot be queried until the heap is rebuilt by running the statement ALTER TABLE <table> REBUILD.
CHECK constraints defined with SOUNDEX are disabled upon upgrade. To enable the constraint, run the statement ALTER TABLE <table> WITH CHECK CHECK CONSTRAINT ALL.
Indexes (including indexed views) that contain a persisted computed column defined with SOUNDEX cannot be queried until the index is rebuilt by running the statement ALTER INDEX ALL ON <object> REBUILD.
Examples
The following example shows the SOUNDEX function and the related DIFFERENCE function. In the first example, the standard SOUNDEX values are returned for all consonants. Returning the SOUNDEX for Smith and Smythe returns the same SOUNDEX result because all vowels, the letter y, doubled letters, and the letter h, are not included.
-- Using SOUNDEX
SELECT SOUNDEX ('Smith'), SOUNDEX ('Smythe');
Here is the result set. Valid for a Latin1_General collation.
----- -----
S530 S530
(1 row(s) affected)
The DIFFERENCE function compares the difference of the SOUNDEX pattern results. The following example shows two strings that differ only in vowels. The difference returned is 4, the lowest possible difference.
-- Using DIFFERENCE
SELECT DIFFERENCE('Smithers', 'Smythers');
GO
Here is the result set. Valid for a Latin1_General collation.
-----------
4
(1 row(s) affected)
In the following example, the strings differ in consonants; therefore, the difference returned is 2, the greater difference.
SELECT DIFFERENCE('Anothers', 'Brothers');
GO
Here is the result set. Valid for a Latin1_General collation.
-----------
2
(1 row(s) affected)