Comparing 2 similar strings?

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Thu, 19 May 2005 14:09:32 +1000, John Machin wrote:

> None of the other approaches make the mistake of preserving the first
> letter -- this alone is almost enough reason for jettisoning soundex.

Off-topic now, but you've made me curious.

Why is this a bad idea?

How would you handle the case of "barow" and "marow"? (Barrow and
marrow, naturally.) Without the first letter, they sound identical. Why is
throwing that information away a good thing?

Thanks,


-- 
Steven