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The SQL LIKE operator is used to search for a specified pattern in a column of a table. It is used in the WHERE clause of a SELECT statement to retrieve all rows where the specified column matches a pattern. In this blog, we will discuss the syntax and uses of the SQL LIKE operator.
Syntax: SELECT column_name FROM table_name WHERE column_name LIKE pattern;
The pattern can include the following wildcard characters:
% (percent sign): This matches zero or more characters.
_ (underscore): This matches exactly one character.
Example: Suppose we have a table named "customers" with columns "name" and "email". We want to retrieve all customers whose email contains the word "gmail". We can use the following query:
SELECT name, email FROM customers WHERE email LIKE '%gmail%';
This query will retrieve all rows where the email column contains the word "gmail" anywhere in the string.
Another example: Suppose we have a table named "products" with columns "product_name" and "price". We want to retrieve all products whose name starts with the letter "A". We can use the following query:
SELECT product_name, price FROM products WHERE product_name LIKE 'A%';
This query will retrieve all rows where the product_name column starts with the letter "A".
Conclusion:
The SQL LIKE operator is a powerful tool that can be used to search for patterns in columns of a table. By using the percent sign and underscore wildcard characters, you can retrieve rows that match a variety of patterns. The LIKE operator is commonly used in combination with other SQL functions and operators to retrieve data in a specific format. By understanding the syntax and uses of the SQL LIKE operator, you can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your SQL queries.