MATCH AGAINST or LIKE: Which SQL Search Method Offers Better Performance and Flexibility?

MATCH AGAINST vs LIKE: Performance and Flexibility in SQL Searches

When searching a database for specific keywords across multiple columns, two commonly used approaches are MATCH AGAINST and LIKE. However, the choice between the two depends on performance and the required flexibility.

MATCH AGAINST utilizes full-text indexing, which is significantly faster for large datasets. It searches for exact matches of words or phrases and requires specific keywords in their entirety to be present. For instance, a query for "foo" AND "bar" using MATCH AGAINST will return no results if the text contains "xxfoo".

In contrast, LIKE allows partial matches and the use of wildcards. It performs a full table scan, concatenating the specified columns and comparing them against the keywords. While this approach is less efficient, it enables broader matching capabilities.

Therefore, if strict and fast searches are necessary, MATCH AGAINST is the preferred solution. However, if partial matches or flexibility in keyword selection is important, LIKE remains a viable option.

Update:

MySQL 5.6 and later extend support for full-text indexing to InnoDB tables, making MATCH AGAINST an even more attractive choice for performance-sensitive scenarios.

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