Using the SQL LIKE Operator: A Comprehensive Guide

The SQL LIKE clause is used to compare a value to similar values using wildcard operators. There are two wildcards used in conjunction with the LIKE operator.

• The percent sign (%)
• The underscore (_)

The percent sign represents zero, one or multiple characters. The underscore represents a single number or character. These symbols can be used in combinations.

Here are some examples showing different LIKE operators with '%' and '_' wildcards:

WHERE CustomerName LIKE '%b'	Finds any values that ends with "b"
WHERE CustomerName LIKE '%or%'	Finds any values that have "or" in any position
WHERE CustomerName LIKE '_p%'	Finds any values that have "p" in the second position
WHERE CustomerName LIKE 'b_%_%'	Finds any values that starts with "b" and are at least 3 characters in length
WHERE ContactName LIKE 'b%o'	Finds any values that starts with "b" and ends with "o"

Syntax:

SELECT FROM table_name
WHERE column LIKE 'XXXX%'

or 

SELECT FROM table_name
WHERE column LIKE '%XXXX%'

or

SELECT FROM table_name
WHERE column LIKE 'XXXX_'

or

SELECT FROM table_name
WHERE column LIKE '_XXXX'

or

SELECT FROM table_name
WHERE column LIKE '_XXXX_'