RE: [PHP-DB] Offering alternatives in typing mistakes

> I'm currently doing a select like statement. No problem with that. But as > no > human being is perfect ;-) the input > provided by the user is sometimes full of typing mistakes like > informatoin, > or informatin instead of information. > I hope you know what I'm think about. Google offers you an alternative if > google thinks you misspelled. > Now my question, what is an algorithm for finding out which input was > actually meant? I know I'll have to split > the string like first letter than last letter, than second first etc. Is > there a better solution, like taking > the middle? I've already put some thought in it, but I see no reason to > reinvent the wheel again. Has anybody > any better ideas? I'm open to solutions. Doing a search on google for "spelling suggestion algorithm" turned up a few things. You may want to check them. You'll probably have to implement an outside program. The only way from within PHP that I can think of doing it is with soundex() and similar functions. I know MySQL implements something similar within it, so you can search for words whos "soundex" will match the "soundex" of the word the user supplied. ---John W. Holmes... PHP Architect - A monthly magazine for PHP Professionals. Get your copy today. http://www.phparch.com/