LIKE

Operator

Pattern matching with wildcards: % (any characters) and _ (single character).

Syntax

WHERE col LIKE pattern

Example

SELECT * FROM users
WHERE email LIKE '%@gmail.com'
OR name LIKE 'J_hn%';

About SQL LIKE

The LIKE keyword belongs to the Operator category of SQL statements. Pattern matching with wildcards: % (any characters) and _ (single character). Understanding this command is essential for any developer working with relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, or SQL Server.

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for managing and querying relational databases. The LIKE statement is supported across all major database systems, though specific syntax may vary slightly between PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, and SQLite. Always consult your database's documentation for vendor-specific features and limitations.

Best practices for using LIKE: always test queries on a development database before running them in production, use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and leverage EXPLAIN to understand query performance. For complex queries, consider using CTEs (Common Table Expressions) to improve readability and maintainability.

Related SQL Keywords

ILIKEWHEREBETWEENIN