How to Efficiently Check for String Containment in MySQL?

Efficient MySQL String Containment: Beyond substr()

MySQL often requires checking if a column string ($haystack) contains a specific substring ($needle). While the substr() function might be considered, it only verifies exact matches at the beginning of the string.

The Optimal Solution: LIKE and Wildcards

The superior method involves MySQL's LIKE operator for pattern matching. This query efficiently checks for substring containment:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT *
FROM `table`
WHERE `column` LIKE '%{$needle}%'</code>

The % symbols are wildcards, matching zero or more characters. Therefore, the query identifies any row where $haystack contains $needle at any position.

Performance Considerations for Scalability

Using LIKE with wildcards can affect performance on large datasets. For substantial databases, consider implementing full-text indexing to significantly improve query speed for such string searches.

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