encode static method

String encode(String s)

Encodes this string using Soundex (first letter + 3 digits).

Non-alpha characters are ignored. Returns 4-char string (letter + 3 digits), or empty string if no letters.

Example:

SoundexUtils.encode('Robert');  // 'R163'
SoundexUtils.encode('Rupert');   // 'R163'

Implementation

static String encode(String s) {
  if (s.isEmpty) return '';
  final String letters = s.toUpperCase().replaceAll(RegExp(r'[^A-Z]'), '');
  if (letters.isEmpty) return '';
  final StringBuffer out = StringBuffer(letters[0]);
  int prev = _code(letters[0]);
  int count = 1;
  for (int i = 1; i < letters.length && count < _soundexCodeLength; i++) {
    final int c = _code(letters[i]);
    if (c != 0 && c != prev) {
      prev = c;
      out.write(c);
      count++;
    }
  }
  while (count < _soundexCodeLength) {
    out.write(_zero);
    count++;
  }
  return out.toString();
}