Introduction to SQL LIKE clause

LIKE clause is used in the condition in SQL query with the WHERE clause. LIKE clause compares data with an expression using wildcard operators to match pattern given in the condition.

Wildcard operators

There are two wildcard operators that are used in LIKE clause.

• Percent sign **%**: represents zero, one or more than one character.
• Underscore sign **_**: represents only a single character.

Example of **LIKE** clause

Consider the following Student table.

SELECT * FROM Student WHERE s_name LIKE 'A%';

The above query will return all records where s_name starts with character 'A'.

Using **_** and **%**

SELECT * FROM Student WHERE s_name LIKE '_d%';

The above query will return all records from Student table where s_name contain 'd' as second character.

Using **%** only

SELECT * FROM Student WHERE s_name LIKE '%x';

The above query will return all records from Student table where s_name contain 'x' as last character.