difference

This section contains reference documentation for the difference function.

Returns a similarity score from 0 to 4 by comparing the four-character Soundex codes for two strings.

A score of 4 means the Soundex codes are identical. A score of 0 means no Soundex positions match.

Signature

difference(string1, string2) -> int

Usage Examples

SELECT difference('Robert', 'Rupert') AS value
FROM ignoreMe

value
4

SELECT difference('Smith', 'Johnson') AS value
FROM ignoreMe

value
1

SELECT difference('Ann', 'Ann') AS value
FROM ignoreMe

value
4

SELECT difference('', '') AS value
FROM ignoreMe

value
4

SELECT difference('Robert', '') AS value
FROM ignoreMe

value
0

Notes

• difference() calls soundex() internally and compares the four Soundex characters position by position.

• Pinot null-propagates this function when either argument is null.