LIKE pattern matching in MySQL - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the SQL LIKE operator do?

The LIKE operator is used to search for a specified pattern in a column. It helps find rows where the column's value matches the pattern.

beginner

What does the % symbol mean in a LIKE pattern?

The % symbol matches zero or more characters of any kind. For example, 'a%' matches any string starting with 'a'.

beginner

What does the _ (underscore) symbol mean in a LIKE pattern?

The _ symbol matches exactly one character. For example, '_at' matches 'cat', 'bat', but not 'at' or 'chat'.

beginner

How would you write a query to find all names that end with 'son'?

Use: SELECT * FROM table WHERE name LIKE '%son'; This finds all names ending with 'son'.

intermediate

Can LIKE be case sensitive in MySQL?

By default, LIKE is case-insensitive in MySQL for non-binary strings. But it can be case-sensitive if the column uses a binary collation.

Which wildcard matches any number of characters in a LIKE pattern?

A _

B %

C *

D #

The % wildcard matches zero or more characters in a LIKE pattern.

What does the pattern '_at' match in a LIKE query?

A Any three-letter string with 'at' as last two letters

B Any string starting with 'at'

C Any string containing 'at' anywhere

D Any string ending with 'at'

The _ matches exactly one character, so '_at' matches three-letter strings ending with 'at'.

How do you find rows where a column starts with 'abc' using LIKE?

A LIKE '_abc'

B LIKE '%abc'

C LIKE 'abc%'

D LIKE 'abc'

The pattern 'abc%' matches any string starting with 'abc'.

Is the LIKE operator case sensitive by default in MySQL?

A Yes, always case sensitive

B No, always case insensitive

C Only for numeric columns

D Depends on the column collation

LIKE is case insensitive by default for non-binary strings but depends on the column's collation.

Which query finds all rows where 'city' contains 'York' anywhere?

A WHERE city LIKE '%York%'

B WHERE city LIKE 'York%'

C WHERE city LIKE '_York'

D WHERE city LIKE 'York'

The pattern '%York%' matches any string containing 'York' anywhere.

Explain how the LIKE operator works and how to use % and _ wildcards in pattern matching.

Think about searching for words that start, end, or contain certain letters.

Describe how case sensitivity affects LIKE queries in MySQL and how it can be controlled.

Consider how uppercase and lowercase letters are treated in searches.