LIKE operator is used in a WHERE clause to search for a specified pattern in a column. SQL LIKE Operator uses following two wildcard characters in conjuction or independently-

1.% (Percent Sign)- It matches zero, one or more than one characters.

2._ (Underscore Sign)– It matches only one or a single character.

Syntax –

SELECT(ColumnName(s)) FROM <TableName> WHERE<ColumnName>LIKE <pattern> ;   

Examples-

SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE ‘c%’; 

–It will select all the customer name starting with “c”.

SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE ‘_c%’;

–It will select all the customer name having second character  “c”.

SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE CustomerName LIKE ‘D%h’;

–It will select all the customer name starting with “D” and ending with “h”.

Note-

Northwind sample database is used for example.