I have a form where the user inputs " description". I would like to ensure that the user does not input a description which is near similar to the descriptions already input. If for example one user has input MYDESC and another user tries to enter M-YDESC or M Y DESC, I want the system to display an alert that "near similar descriptions already exist". How to manage this through wild cards?
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What you ask is not well enough defined at present, and is really looking at the wrong thing anyway.
if you need standard descriptions the norm would be to have a separate table for the items concerned and use a lookup based on a key field value (a product code, say) to return the standard description for the product.
I mention this because what you ask is really an impossibility as it stands. You do not define it, but consider what 'near similar' could mean. Users entering free text descriptions about an item will undoubtedly
* make spelling errors
* use abbreviations, some of which may make no sense to anyone else
* use different words or phrases to describe the items concerned
* make errors in typing, such as transpositions of letters, and duplications
I would strongly suggest you rethink what you are trying to achieve.
-StewartLast edited by Stewart Ross; Apr 6 '12, 07:42 AM. -
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