How can I combine LIKE and IN operators in SQL for efficient and flexible queries?

Combining SQL LIKE and IN Queries

In SQL, the LIKE operator is used for pattern matching, while the IN operator is used to compare a value to a list of predefined values. By combining these two operators, you can create more flexible and efficient queries.

Using LIKE and IN Together

To use LIKE and IN together, you can simply combine the two conditions in a WHERE clause. For example, the following query matches rows where the column value begins with either 'M510', 'M615', 'M515', or 'M612':

SELECT * 
FROM tablename 
WHERE column IN ('M510%', 'M615%', 'M515%', 'M612%')

Alternative Approach: Using a Substring with IN

Another way to achieve the same result without using LIKE is by using the SUBSTRING function to extract a specific portion of the column value and compare it to a list of predefined values. For example, the following query matches rows where the first four characters of the column value match any of the specified prefixes:

SELECT * 
FROM tablename 
WHERE SUBSTRING(column, 1, 4) IN ('M510', 'M615', 'M515', 'M612')

Advantages of Combining LIKE and IN

Combining LIKE and IN offers several advantages:

• Increased Efficiency: By using IN to specify a list of values, the query can take advantage of database optimizations for set-based operations.
• Improved Readability: Using LIKE and IN together makes the query more readable and understandable.
• Flexibility: The combination of LIKE and IN allows for complex pattern matching and filtering.

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