Susie,

If you are looking for something pre-written, look at the SPEDIS function. (SPElling DIStance). It returns values from 0 to 200 with 200 being the poorest match. It is basically a metrix of the work to transform one string into the other. It is not communicative. E.g.:

Data _null_ ; Length x y $20 ; x="Susie Li"; y="SUSIE LI"; f=speDis(x,y); b=speDis(y,x); Put (_all_)(=) ; x="Susie Li"; y="Sue Li"; f=speDis(x,y); b=speDis(y,x); Put (_all_)(=) ; x="Susie Li"; y="Li, Susie"; f=speDis(x,y); b=speDis(y,x); Put (_all_)(=) ; x="Susie Li"; y="Ed Heaton"; f=speDis(x,y); b=speDis(y,x); Put (_all_)(=) ; Run ;

returns

x=Susie Li y=SUSIE LI f=62 b=62 x=Susie Li y=Sue Li f=25 b=16 x=Susie Li y=Li, Susie f=87 b=81 x=Susie Li y=Ed Heaton f=106 b=92

Ed

Edward Heaton, Senior Systems Analyst, Westat (An Employee-Owned Research Corporation), 1600 Research Boulevard, Room RW-3541, Rockville, MD 20850-3195 Voice: (301) 610-4818 Fax: (301) 610-5128 mailto:EdHeaton@westat.com http://www.westat.com

-----Original Message----- From: Susie Li [mailto:Susie.Li@US.SANOFI.COM] Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 10:15 AM To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Subject: Actively seeking algorithm to compare the "likeness" of two character strings

I do a fair amount of string comparisons, mainly between pairs of addresses.

I'd like to know if there is efficient SAS codes out there that would help me identify if there is a distinct difference between the two addresses (rather than some cosmetic difference like: 300 N Shore St vs 300 N. Shore Street). I'm tired of exact matches.

I think it may involve categorical clustering. But I'm not sure.

Susie Li Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc. 90 Park Ave New York, NY 10016 (212)551-4385 susie.li@us.sanofi.com

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