How to Use LIKE in SQL

The LIKE operator is used to search for a specified pattern in a column, often with wildcards.

Syntax:

SELECT columnsFROM table_nameWHERE column_name LIKE pattern;

Wildcards used with LIKE:

Examples:

1. Find employees whose name starts with "Jo":

SELECT *FROM employeesWHERE name LIKE 'Jo%';

2. Find employees whose name has "an" in the middle:

SELECT *FROM employeesWHERE name LIKE '%an%';

3. Find employees whose name is 3 characters and starts with "J":

SELECT *FROM employeesWHERE name LIKE 'J__';

Notes:

• LIKE is case-insensitive in some databases (e.g., MySQL), but case-sensitive in others (e.g., PostgreSQL).

• To perform case-insensitive search in PostgreSQL, use ILIKE.

If you want examples with escape characters or regex alternatives, just ask!