Oracle/PLSQL: Soundex Function

In Oracle/PLSQL, the soundex function returns a phonetic representation (the way it sounds) of a string.

Syntax

The syntax for the soundex function is:

soundex( string1 )

string1 is the string whose phonetic value will be returned.

Note

The Soundex algorithm is as follows:

1. The soundex return value will always begin with the first letter of string1.
2. The soundex function uses only the first 5 consonants to determine the NUMERIC portion of the return value, except if the first letter of string1 is a vowel.
3. The soundex function is not case-sensitive. What this means is that both uppercase and lowercase characters will generate the same soundex return value.

Applies To

• Oracle 11g, Oracle 10g, Oracle 9i, Oracle 8i

For Example

soundex('tech on the net');	would return 'T253'
soundex('TECH ON THE NET');	would return 'T253'
soundex('apples');	would return 'A142'
soundex('apples are great');	would return 'A142'
soundex('applus');	would return 'A142'