answer=wordcomp(word1,word2)

function answer=wordcomp(word1,word2)
% Enter words as strings word2num('word','word')
% returns the lower word alphabeticaly
% wordcomp('def','abc','zz') yields 'abc'
% wordcomp('test','m') yields 'm'
% wordcomp('test','te') yields 'te'

% normalizes words to same length
if length(word1)>length(word2);
    smaller=length(word2);
    letters=length(word1);
    word2(1,smaller+1:letters)=0;
else
    smaller=length(word1);
    letters=length(word2);
    word1(1,smaller+1:letters)=0;
end;

% compares words letter by letter
indx=1;
while indx<letters+1
    if word1(indx)<word2(indx)
        answer=word1;
        indx=letters+1; % stops comparison
    elseif word1(indx)==word2(indx)
        indx=indx+1;
        answer=word1; % this is here in case the two words are the same
    else
        answer=word2;
        indx=letters+1; % stops comparison
    end
end