# SOUNDEX()

Syntax:

Then: a = SOUNDEX(exp)

Version Ref: 4.1

Description:

The Soundex function returns a 4 character soundex code for a string expression or variable. The soundex code is comprised of a character (A-Z) followed by a 3 digit number. i.e., K152.

Key Letters and Equivalents | Code Returned
b, p, f, v | 1
c, s, k, g, j, q, x, z | 2
d, t | 3
1 | 4
M, n | 5
R | 6

The letters a, e, i, o, u, y, w, and h are not coded. A name yielding no code numbers such as, "Lee," would return L000; one yielding only one code number would have two zeroes added, as "Kuhne," coded as K500; and one yielding two code numbers would have one zero added, as "Ebell," coded as E140. No more than three digits are used, so the name "Ebelson" would return E142, not E1425. Soundex was designed to group surnames that sound similar.

Examples:

Witherspoon or Weathers -> W362
Braddie or Brody -> B630
Kragged or Kracht -> K623

Then: a = soundex(exp) ; b=soundex("Smith'')