On first thought, here is where I might start. Maybe someone who has taken an algorithms class recently might have a better idea. The overall concept is to create a hash of lists. The first item in each list is the "key". Each item in the input is compared with each key. If it is "close enough" to a key, it is added to that key's list, if not, it is installed as a new key.

It can be made much slower and more accurate if the input item is compared with all keys and the item is placed in the list with closest key if it is close enough to any of them.

The algorithm is not perfect and somewhat depandant on the input order. It might be "good enough" and it might be a starting point. In any case, perhaps it will get you or some other monk thinking on the right track to a better solution.

HTH, --traveler

In reply to Re: Group Similar Items by traveler
in thread Group Similar Items by artist

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