Compare strings which resembles each other

Hy, I have a table containing some rows. Each row contains a field name which is of type String.

For example:
in row1 string1 is "Adieu Poulet",
in row2 string2 is "Adieu a Poulet",
in row3 string3 is "Adiue Poulet",
in row4 string4 is "Adieu Pouleet", etc..
(That is each string resembles each other a bit, they are somewhat similar to each other)

What type of query should I make so as it return me all these string. That is I watn a query which return me strings which are similar or somewhat similar to each other.

thanks in advance

gulshan

Posting a request more then once won't get you an answer any faster.

Within SQL, I don't know of anyway to do what you are asking. SQL typically deals in absolutes and what you are requesting has to many variations to find all senerios. The best I could suggest is the use of wildcard to try and come close. Maybe someone else has an idea but I can't think of one at this time you may be stuck doing this manually.

It sound like you users have gotten out of control with data entry. After you fix your problems you should look at what you can to to limit this from happening in the future(different integrity controls and possibly a DB redesign to provide better controls). Fixing data entries issues like these isn't fun and it would better to make thinks a tad harder for your users, then spending hours fixing their problems.

S-

I have found something that might help you. Look up Soundex on the internet (google). This function can compare based on the way a word sounds and not how it is spelled. depending on the DB your are using will drive how you can use it.

Good luck

S-