mysql wildcard search code example

Example: MySQL LIKE

The LIKE operator is a logical operator that tests whether a string contains a specified pattern or not. Here is the syntax of the LIKE operator:

expression LIKE pattern ESCAPE escape_character

This example uses the LIKE operator to find employees whose first names start with a:

SELECT 
    employeeNumber, 
    lastName, 
    firstName
FROM
    employees
WHERE
    firstName LIKE 'a%';
    
    This example uses the LIKE operator to find employees whose last names end with on e.g., Patterson, Thompson:

SELECT 
    employeeNumber, 
    lastName, 
    firstName
FROM
    employees
WHERE
    lastName LIKE '%on';
    
    
    For example, to find all employees whose last names contain on , you use the following query with the pattern %on%

SELECT 
    employeeNumber, 
    lastName, 
    firstName
FROM
    employees
WHERE
    lastname LIKE '%on%';