1. A computer-aided method for the automatic evaluation of the similarity of two character strings that are stored in a computer or to which the computer has access by means of an interface, characterized by the locating of associations in the character strings according to a rule stored in the computer; the evaluating located associations according to a first rule stored in the computer, whereby cohesive associations—hereinafter also designated as association strings—are evaluated higher for the similarity of the character strings than non-cohesive associations; the deriving of a value, in particular a numerical value, as measure for the similarity of the two character strings from the evaluation of the sought associations according to a second rule stored in the computer.