Returns a number indicating the similarity between two strings.

Syntax

SIMILAR( string-expression-1, string-expression-2 )

Parameters

Returns

SMALL INT

Remarks

The function returns an integer between 0 and 100 representing the similarity between the two strings. The result can be interpreted as the percentage of characters matched between the two strings. A value of 100 indicates that the two strings are identical.

This function can be used to correct a list of names (such as customers). Some customers may have been added to the list more than once with slightly different names. Join the table to itself and produce a report of all similarities greater than 90 percent, but less than 100 percent.

The calculation performed for the SIMILAR function is more complex than just the number of characters that match.

See also

• String functions

Standards and compatibility

Example

The following statement returns the value 75, indicating that the two values are 75% similar.

SELECT SIMILAR( 'toast', 'coast' );