Is it possible with mySQL to get results when the spelling is not exactly correct

Question

Is it possible with mySQL to get results when the spelling is not exactly correct. E.g. a visitor fills out the field with Amstrdam (note that the "e" is missing). Is there a function for mySQL that also shows results similar to Amstrdam: -Amsterdam -Amsteldam

Answer 1

You could use

expr1 SOUNDS LIKE expr2

see http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/string-functions.html#operator_sounds-like

Answer 2

You can use the like with % wildcard:

where name like `Amst%`

and similar permutations.