How to compare the first and last characters of strings?

Question

lets say we have a name column with values;
c1
Antu Anamentu
Steven Smith
Since A=A and U=U for the first value we need a TRUE and FALSE for the second value SQL. Is this possible to do with REGEXP functions on 10gR2.
Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Frank,
Just minor correction: REGEXP_LIKE (Name1, '^(.).*(.) \1.*\2$') ;
Explanation: ^(.) =>^ specifies the next char is first char
                            . dot specifies single character
                           ()  defines group which can be backrferenced
                   .* => Any number of characters as we want only first and last character
                  (.)  => (.)space The space signifies that we want to remember last char of first word or char before space
                   \1 => It recalls first group which we saved for backreference using (.)
                   .* => Any number of chars
                  \2 =>  It recalls first group which we saved for backreference using (.)
                   $ => It specifies the char before this is last charHope it clarifies :)
SQL> WITH t AS
SELECT 'Antu Anamentu' Name1 FROM DUAL UNION ALL
SELECT 'Steven Smith' Name1 FROM DUAL
SELECT Name1
FROM t
WHERE REGEXP_LIKE (Name1, '^(.).*(.) \1.*\2$')  ;
NAME1
Antu Anamentu