approximate search filter

An approximate search filter is a type of search filter that can be used to identify entries that contain a value for a given attribute that is approximately equal to a given assertion value. The server will use an approximate matching rule to make the determination.

The string representation of an LDAP approximate filter comprises an opening parenthesis followed by the attribute name, a tilde, an equal sign, the attribute value, and the closing parenthesis. For example, an equality filter of (givenName~=John will match any entry in which the givenName attribute contains a value that is approximately equal to John.