module RailsGuides module Levenshtein # This code is based directly on the Text gem implementation # Returns a value representing the "cost" of transforming str1 into str2 def self.distance str1, str2 s = str1 t = str2 n = s.length m = t.length max = n/2 return m if (0 == n) return n if (0 == m) return n if (n - m).abs > max d = (0..m).to_a x = nil str1.each_char.each_with_index do |char1,i| e = i+1 str2.each_char.each_with_index do |char2,j| cost = (char1 == char2) ? 0 : 1 x = [ d[j+1] + 1, # insertion e + 1, # deletion d[j] + cost # substitution ].min d[j] = e e = x end d[m] = x end return x end end end