Pattern Classes

Each pattern defined in the address patterns file must have an associated pattern class. The pattern class indicates a portion of the input pattern or the type of address data that is represented by the pattern. You can specify any of the following pattern classes.

• H - the address pattern represents a house

• B - the address pattern represents a building

• W - the address pattern represents a unit within a structure, such as an apartment or suite number

• T - the address pattern represents a street type or direction

• R - the address pattern represents a rural route

• P - the address pattern represents a Post Office box

• N - the address pattern is mostly numeric

These classes are also specified as usage flags in the patterns file and the master clues file.