VMs: Trying to create a test for letter 'value'

["Robert Antony Hicks" <rob_hicks_vms@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I wish to create a test for the 'value' of letters within the VMS.  I have 
the basic programming skills to make a utility, but I need a bit of help 
establishing what algorithm to use.  I'd better explain what I mean by 
value-

I define the value, V, of a particular letter as a measure of how frequently 
the letter is the difference between two otherwise identical words.

For example,

Consider a text containing just four words :  okol okoy okcy kcy

There are 5 different letters in the text : o, k, l, y and c.

Letter o has V=2/4=0.5 because it distinguishes between okol and okcy and 
okcy and kcy out of the three words.

Letter k has V=0 because it does not distinguish between any of the words.

Letter l has V=1/4=0.25 because it distinguishes between okol and okoy out 
of the three words.

Letter y has V=1/4=0.25 because it distinguishes between okol and okoy out 
of the three words.

Letter c has V=1/4=0.25 because it distinguishes between okoy and okcy out 
of the three words.

Thus, a value 'ranking' for the five letters is -

o     V=0.5
lyc   V=0.25
k     V=0

I hope this makes some semblance of sense.  I need help with creating an 
algorithm for this - can anybody assist with pseudo-code?

Even better - does such a test already exist, and if so, what is it called 
and where can I find it?

Rob



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