Geek Chic? Or just Geek!
As a third example we can encode the word BLACKGUARD. Largely because it demonstrates rule 5, as well as lets us see rule 3 a little better.
Step 1, B-LACKGUARD
Then we encode the letters
L:4
C:2
K:2
G:2
R:6
D:3
Step 2: B-4a222ua63
Step 3, collapsing adjacent identical digits, returns : B-4a2ua63
Step 4 removes all non-encoded letters, B-4263
Step 5 truncates to 3-digits, leaving us B-426
The SNDX value for BLACKGUARD is B-426 (BLKR)
Encoding my name (ATTRIEL)
Keeping the A, we encode the remaining characters
T:3
R:6
L: 4
After step 2 our string is A336ie4
Step 3 removes “adjacent digits”, leaving us with A36ie4
Step 4 removes non-encoded letters, giving us A364
Step 5 truncates to 3 digits, which is all we have.
The SNDX value for ATTRIEL is A-364
Encoding the name of the blog (Deadbeef):
We retain the D
Then we encode D B and F.
D: 3
B: 1
F: 1
So our partial value (after step 2) is : Dea31ee1
Step 3 makes no change (Note that the two 1′s are not currently by each other)
Step 4 removes the “non encoded letters” (vowels), giving us: D311
Step 5 limits us to three digits, which is all we had anyway.
So the SNDX for DEADBEEF is D311
Soundex is not technically a Cipher or Code. It’s invention was for census data.
The idea behind Soundex (or SNDX, although not usually referenced in that manner) is to provide a representation of a name that will match for any minor variations that do not greatly alter the pronounciation. Pronunciation. Whichever.
The idea being that Robert and Rupert will be represented the same (R163) but Rubin will differ (R150). Because it was intended for names, it’s function is limited outside that scope. The original soundex structure calls for first letter followed by 3 digits, making the algorithm questionable for large words.