Evaluating field pairs in a collation

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DM

When each pair of fields is compared during the matching process the outcome is assigned a vote, which determines whether the field pairing is considered a match. If more than one field is involved in the comparison, a final vote determines the result based on individual votes in the group.

There are three votes:

  • SUPPORT is assigned to any field pairing that meets the user-defined match rule.
  • REFUTE is assigned to any field pairing that does not meet the user-defined match rule.
  • ABSTAIN is assigned to any field pairing for which one field has a NULL value.

When more than one field is involved, votes are resolved as follows:

  • For more than one REFUTE vote, the collation of fields votes REFUTE.
  • For at least one SUPPORT vote and no REFUTE votes, the collation votes SUPPORT.
  • For any other instance, the collation votes ABSTAIN.

In the following example, the records do not meet the user-defined match rule, and the final result is REFUTE.

Field Name Record 1 Record 2 Vote
City Toronto null ABSTAIN
First Name Bob Frank REFUTE
Last Name Smith Smith SUPPORT

In this example, the records meet the user-defined match rule, and the final result is SUPPORT:

Field Name Record 1 Record 2 Vote
City Toronto null ABSTAIN
First Name Bob Bob SUPPORT
Last Name Smith Smith SUPPORT