Sun Match Engine Comparison Function Options

The options listed below can be used in conjunction with the above string comparison functions to give them more functionality. For example, you can use an ”ufI’ string comparison function that refers to the first name comparison function with the possibility to switch fields if the first one does not match.

• I - This is a major inversion option that allows for field transpositions. If two compared fields do not match, this option lets the match engine know to compare the original field in the first record with the next field in the second record. If those fields agree, the match engine assigns the full agreement weight and switches the fields.

• i - This is a minor inversion option similar to the major inversion (I) described above. This option only assigns one-half of the full agreement weight if the transposed fields match.

• x - If two or more fields with this option match, their weight is doubled; but if any of the fields with this option disagree, the weight is not doubled.

• k - This option can be used with the ”x’ option to give more importance to one field. Specifying this option on a field tells the match engine to double the match weight for a sub-group of fields with the ”x’ option by doubling the weight as soon as it comes to the field with the ”k’ option.