SQL Like and like

Question

Is it possible to string together multiple SQL LIKE wildcards in one query - something like this?

LIKE \'% aaaa %\' AND LIKE \'% bbbb %\'

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Answer 1

The correct SQL syntax is:

field LIKE '% aaaa %' AND field LIKE '% bbbb %'

Answer 2

Yes, that will work, but the syntax is:

Field LIKE '%aaa%' AND field LIKE '%bbb%'

Answer 3

This is useful when you are using this statement with variables.

SELECT * 
FROM `tableName`
WHERE `colName` LIKE CONCAT('%', 'aaaa', '%') AND -- if aaaa is direct Text
      `colName` LIKE CONCAT('%', 'bbbb', '%')

SELECT * 
FROM `tableName`
WHERE `colName` LIKE CONCAT('%', aaaa, '%') AND -- if aaaa is variable
      `colName` LIKE CONCAT('%', bbbb, '%')

Answer 4

It is possible to string together an arbitrary number of conditions. However, it's prudent to use parenthesis to group the clauses to remove any ambiguity:

SELECT *
  FROM tableName
 WHERE (columnOne LIKE '%pattern%')
   AND (columnTwo LIKE '%other%')

Answer 5

Yes, but remember that LIKE is an operator similar to == or > in other languages. You still have to specify the other side of the equation:

SELECT * FROM myTable
WHERE myField LIKE '%aaaa%' AND myField LIKE '%bbbb%'