PHONETIC: Returning a Phonetic Key for a String

How to: Return a Phonetic Key

PHONETIC calculates a phonetic key for a string, or a null value on failure. Phonetic keys are useful for grouping alphanumeric values, such as names, that may have spelling variations. This is done by generating an index number that will be the same for the variations of the same name based on pronunciation. One of two phonetic algorithms can be used for indexing, Metaphone and Soundex. Metaphone is the default algorithm, except on z/OS where the default is Soundex.

You can set the algorithm to use with the following command.

SET PHONETIC_ALGORITHM = {METAPHONE|SOUNDEX}

Most phonetic algorithms were developed for use with the English language. Therefore, applying the rules to words in other languages may not give a meaningful result.

Metaphone is suitable for use with most English words, not just names. Metaphone algorithms are the basis for many popular spell checkers.

Note: Metaphone is not optimized in generated SQL. Therefore, if you need to optimize the request for an SQL DBMS, the SOUNDEX setting should be used.

Soundex is a legacy phonetic algorithm for indexing names by sound, as pronounced in English.

PHONETIC(string)

DEFINE FILE EMPLOYEE
LAST_NAME2/A16 = IF LAST_NAME EQ 'SMITH' AND FIRST_NAME EQ 'MARY' THEN 'SMYTHE' ELSE LAST_NAME;
PKEY/A10 = PHONETIC(LAST_NAME2);
END
TABLE FILE EMPLOYEE
PRINT FIRST_NAME LAST_NAME2 
BY PKEY
ON TABLE SET PAGE NOLEAD
ON TABLE SET STYLE *
GRID=OFF,$
ENDSTYLE
END