Substring in SQL query

Question

So I am starting SQL and I have the following query

Select * from Material where theme = 'math' or name = 'math';

As far as I know this gets me the values that actually have that exact string 'math' on the theme or on the name. How do I put it if I want that value i.e 'math' also as a substring of the attributes theme or name.

The functionality you are looking for is like: dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/…. — Gordon Linoff
– Gordon Linoff, Commented May 16, 2014 at 20:05

Marc B · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-16 20:05:42Z

2

Simplest method is to use a wildcard match using the LIKE operator:

 WHERE theme LIKE '%math%'  // math appears anywhere in the string
 WHERE theme LIKE 'math%'   // math appears at the START of the string
 WHERE theme LIKE '%math'   // math appears at the END of the string

answered May 16, 2014 at 20:05

Marc B

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Hituptony · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-16 20:05:33Z

2

Select * from Material where theme LIKE '%math%' or name LIKE '%math%';

I believe you are interested in using the LIKE operator.

answered May 16, 2014 at 20:05

Hituptony

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2 Comments

Darwin57721 Over a year ago

Oh, thanks. I thought I had to use something like SUBSTRING();

Hituptony Over a year ago

Well you shouldn't look at it like substring, because you're not trying to extract a portion of a string. You are simply trying to match a portion of the string. Which is why LIKE is what you want oppose to substring

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