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Soundex

The Soundex processor generates a soundex code for each value in a specified attribute. Soundex is an abstract key which represents similar sounding names as the same code. Soundex is specifically applicable to family / surnames (although is sometimes used – with care - in other domains).

Use

Soundex codes are used where spelling or transcription differences occur in names that sound the same. Having created a soundex code, you would often use the soundex instead of the raw data value in a duplicate check.

Configuration

Inputs

Any String or String Array attributes from which you want to create a soundex code.

Note that if you input an Array attribute, the transformation will apply to all array elements, and an Array attribute will be output.

Options

None.

Outputs

Data attributes

Data attribute	Type	Purpose	Value
[Attribute Name].Soundex	Derived	A new attribute with the soundex code derived from each input attribute	The original attribute value, converted to its soundex code.

Flags

None

Execution

Execution Mode	Supported
Batch	Yes
Real time Monitoring	Yes
Real time Response	Yes

Results Browsing

The Soundex transformer presents no summary statistics on its processing.

In the Data view, each input attribute is shown with its new derived soundex attribute to the right.

Output Filters

None. All records input are output.

Example

This example uses the Soundex transformation on a Surname attribute. The Surname attribute was created from the NAME attribute in the Customers table of the example Service Management data, by splitting the attribute using a Make Array from String processor, using a space separator, and outputting the Surname by selecting the second element in the array using Select Array Element processor:

Note that where values should possibly be the same and may be the subject of typos, such as ALLAN/ALLEN, the same soundex code is generated.