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.