Oracle String/Char Function - Oracle/PLSQL SOUNDEX Function

This Oracle tutorial explains how to use the Oracle/PLSQL SOUNDEX function.

SOUNDEX converts a string to a code value.

Words with similar sounds have a similar code value. SOUNDEX is used to compare words that are spelled slightly differently but sound basically the same. The general format for this function is:

SOUNDEX(string)

Syntax

The syntax for the Oracle/PLSQL SOUNDEX function is:

SOUNDEX( string1 )

string1 is the string whose phonetic value will be returned.

The SOUNDEX function return value will always begin with the first letter of string1. The SOUNDEX function is not case-sensitive.

Example


SQL> SELECT SOUNDEX('bai') FROM dual;
--   w  w w . j a va  2s  .c o  m
SOUN
----
B000

SQL> SELECT SOUNDEX('bye') FROM dual;

SOUN
----
B000

SQL>

The following sql finds employee's name that has the similar sound of 'white'.


CREATE TABLE EMP (EMPNO NUMBER(4) NOT NULL,
                  ENAME VARCHAR2(10),
                  JOB VARCHAR2(9),
                  SAL NUMBER(7, 2),
                  DEPTNO NUMBER(2));
-- from w w w  . j av  a 2s  .  c o m
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (1, 'SMITH', 'CLERK',     800,    20);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (2, 'ALLEN', 'SALESMAN', 1600,    30);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (3, 'WARD',  'SALESMAN', 1250,    30);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (4, 'JONES', 'MANAGER',  2975,    20);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (5, 'MARTIN','SALESMAN', 1250,    30);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (6, 'BLAKE', 'MANAGER',  2850,    30);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (7, 'CLARK', 'MANAGER',  2850,    10);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (8, 'SCOTT', 'ANALYST',  3000,    20);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (9, 'KING',  'PRESIDENT',3000,    10);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (10,'TURNER','SALESMAN', 1500,    30);
INSERT INTO EMP VALUES (11,'WHITE', 'CLERK',    1500,    20);


SQL> select ename from emp where soundex(ename) = soundex('whyte');

ENAME
----------
WHITE

SQL>