Description
Normalize a supplied edit count by explicitly selected max/sum/mean string length, retaining undefined status for empty pairs without claiming a bounded similarity.
A similarity term depends on the comparison universe, missing-value policy, treatment of repeated features, and normalization. A score can also have a caller-selected value when its mathematical denominator vanishes. Those conventions matter before interpreting a threshold or comparing methods.
Normalize a supplied edit count by explicitly selected max/sum/mean string length, retaining undefined status for empty pairs without claiming a bounded similarity.
When to use this tool
Use Similarity: Edit Score Length Normalizer Choice when you need this particular comparison term, normalization, domain condition, or empty-result policy in a larger matching workflow.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter editDistance, leftLength, rightLength, denominatorPolicy. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read result. Expand result to inspect the returned fields.
Normalize editDistance by max length, sum of lengths, or mean length according to denominatorPolicy. Return denominator, defined, and normalizedDistance, using zero with defined false for a zero denominator, inside result.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| editDistance | Edit Distance | Required. Safe integer. |
| leftLength | Left Length | Required. Safe integer. |
| rightLength | Right Length | Required. Safe integer. |
| denominatorPolicy | Denominator Policy | Required. Text; one of "max", "sum", "mean". |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| result | Result | Required. Object. |
{
"input": {
"editDistance": 2,
"leftLength": 3,
"rightLength": 5,
"denominatorPolicy": "max"
},
"output": {
"result": {
"denominator": 5,
"defined": true,
"normalizedDistance": 0.4
}
}
} Limitations and assumptions
- Counts are bounded nonnegative integers but distance feasibility is not checked. Normalized distance may exceed one; the output is distance rather than one-minus-distance similarity.
- Outputs are nested inside result. The field tables state structural bounds; the mechanics also specify cross-field constraints. Malformed inputs and unsupported domains cause errors. A successful false flag, empty branch value, or zero placeholder has the meaning stated above and is distinct from an input error.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Signed zero is exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Compare methods only after aligning feature definitions, missingness, empty policies, multiplicities, and normalizers. Use a complete comparison when the tool returns only one contribution or count check.
References
Similar or alternative tools
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Return negative for score<0 and antiparallel when abs(score+1)<=tolerance.