SQL SOUNDEX()

The SQL SOUNDEX() function generates a phonetic representation of a string, allowing for similarity matching of words based on how they sound rather than exact spelling. This function is particularly useful for matching names or other text data where variations in spelling can occur but sound similar.

The SOUNDEX() function is supported by SQL Server, MySQL, and other SQL databases.

In this tutorial, we will go through SQL SOUNDEX() String function, its syntax, and how to use this function in SQL statements for string operations, with the help of well detailed examples.

Syntax of SQL SOUNDEX() Function

The basic syntax of the SQL SOUNDEX() function is:

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SOUNDEX(string);

Each part of this syntax has a specific purpose:

  • string: The text or word for which you want to generate a phonetic representation. This can be a column, variable, or text literal.

The SOUNDEX() function returns a four-character code where the first letter is the same as the input, followed by three numbers that represent similar sounds.

Setup for Examples: Creating the Database and Table

We’ll create a sample customers table with a name field to demonstrate the SOUNDEX() function examples.

1. First, create a new database called business:

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CREATE DATABASE business;

2. Select the business database to work with:

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USE business;

3. Create a table named customers with the name field:

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CREATE TABLE customers (
    customer_id INT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT,
    name VARCHAR(100)
);

4. Insert sample data into the customers table to use with the SOUNDEX() function examples:

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INSERT INTO customers (name)
VALUES ('John'), ('Jon'), ('Jonathan'), ('Johan'), ('Jane'), ('Janet'), ('Joan');