Soundex is a phonetic algorithm for indexing names by sound, as
pronounced in English. The goal is for names with the same pronunciation
to be encoded to the same representation so that they can be matched
despite minor differences in spelling. Soundex is the most widely
known of all phonetic algorithms and is often used (incorrectly)
as a synonym for "phonetic algorithm". Improvements to Soundex are
the basis for many modern phonetic algorithms. (Wikipedia, 2007)
This module implements the original soundex algorithm developed by
Robert Russell and Margaret Odell, patented in 1918 and 1922, as
well as a variation called "American Soundex" used for US census
data, and current maintained by the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA).
The soundex algorithm may be recognized from Donald Knuth's The Art
of Computer Programming. The algorithm described by Knuth is the
NARA algorithm.
OK benoit@
