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MySQL LIKE

The LIKE operator is used in a WHERE clause to search for a specified pattern in a column. You can use the % and _ wildcards to create patterns.

Examples with Tamil Kings

1. Using % Wildcard

SELECT * FROM tamil_kings_auto_increment
WHERE king_name LIKE 'Raja%';

Code Explanation: This query selects records where the king_name starts with 'Raja'. The % wildcard matches any sequence of characters.

2. Using _ Wildcard

SELECT * FROM tamil_kings_auto_increment
WHERE king_name LIKE 'K_rikala';

Code Explanation: This query selects records where the king_name matches the pattern 'K_rikala'. The _ wildcard matches exactly one character.

Best Practices

  • Use % to match any number of characters, including zero characters.
  • Use _ to match exactly one character.
  • Be cautious when using wildcards at the beginning of a pattern, as it can impact performance.

Key Takeaways

  • The LIKE operator is used to search for patterns in text.
  • Wildcards % and _ help create flexible search conditions.
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