sql like multiple values

Galaxy Glossary

How can I use the LIKE operator in SQL to match multiple patterns?

The SQL LIKE operator is powerful for pattern matching. This explanation details how to use it to find rows matching multiple criteria simultaneously, avoiding the need for multiple queries.
Sign up for the latest in SQL knowledge from the Galaxy Team!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Description

The `LIKE` operator in SQL is used to search for patterns within strings. While it's straightforward for a single pattern, finding rows matching multiple patterns requires a more sophisticated approach. Using `OR` conditions within the `WHERE` clause is one way to achieve this, but it can become cumbersome and less efficient with many patterns. A more elegant solution involves using the `IN` operator in conjunction with `LIKE` to match multiple patterns simultaneously. This approach is more readable and often more performant, especially when dealing with a large dataset.Instead of writing multiple `LIKE` conditions connected by `OR`, you can use the `IN` operator to specify multiple patterns. This makes your query more concise and easier to understand. This method is particularly useful when you need to search for values that match any of a predefined set of patterns.For example, if you want to find all customers whose names start with 'A', 'B', or 'C', you can use `LIKE` with `IN` to achieve this in a single query. This is more efficient than using multiple `OR` conditions.Using `LIKE` with `IN` is a more efficient and readable way to search for multiple patterns. It's a crucial technique for filtering data based on various string criteria in a single, optimized query.

Why sql like multiple values is important

Using `LIKE` with multiple values is crucial for efficient data retrieval. It allows you to filter data based on various patterns in a single query, improving performance and readability compared to multiple `OR` conditions. This is essential for complex data analysis and reporting tasks.

Example Usage

```sql -- Sample table CREATE TABLE Customers ( CustomerID INT PRIMARY KEY, CustomerName VARCHAR(50) ); INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, CustomerName) VALUES (1, 'Alice Smith'), (2, 'Bob Johnson'), (3, 'Charlie Brown'), (4, 'David Lee'), (5, 'Eve Garcia'), (6, 'Frank Davis'); -- Query to find customers whose names start with 'A', 'B', or 'C' SELECT CustomerName FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE 'A%' OR CustomerName LIKE 'B%' OR CustomerName LIKE 'C%'; -- More efficient query using IN SELECT CustomerName FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE 'A%' OR CustomerName LIKE 'B%' OR CustomerName LIKE 'C%'; -- Equivalent query using IN SELECT CustomerName FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE ANY ('A%', 'B%', 'C%'); -- More concise query using IN SELECT CustomerName FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE '%Smith' OR CustomerName LIKE '%Johnson' OR CustomerName LIKE '%Brown'; -- Equivalent query using IN SELECT CustomerName FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE ANY ('%Smith', '%Johnson', '%Brown'); ```

Common Mistakes

Want to learn about other SQL terms?