DIFFERENCE Function in SQL Server

DIFFERENCE()

Returns an integer value that indicates the difference between the SOUNDEX values of two character expressions.

Syntax
DIFFERENCE ( character_expression , character_expression )
 

Arguments:character_

expression: Is an expression of type char or varchar. character_expression can also be of type text; however, only the first 8,000 bytes are significant.

Return Types:  Int

Example :

USE AdventureWorks;
GO
-- Returns a DIFFERENCE value of 4, the least possible difference.
SELECT SOUNDEX('Green'), SOUNDEX('Greene'), DIFFERENCE('Green','Greene');
GO
-- Returns a DIFFERENCE value of 0, the highest possible difference.
SELECT SOUNDEX('Blotchet-Halls'), SOUNDEX('Greene'), DIFFERENCE('Blotchet-Halls', 'Greene');
GO

Output:
----- ----- -----------
G650  G650  4          

(1 row(s) affected)
                       
----- ----- -----------
B432  G650  0          

(1 row(s) affected)