Can SQL Combine `LIKE` and `IN` Operators, and if not, What Are the Alternatives?

Combining LIKE and IN in SQL: Alternatives to Direct Combination

SQL's LIKE operator facilitates pattern matching, while IN checks for membership in a set of values. While a direct combination isn't available, efficient alternatives exist for handling multiple LIKE conditions or combining LIKE with a set of values.

The Challenge of Multiple LIKE Conditions

Using multiple OR statements with LIKE becomes unwieldy and potentially inefficient for many patterns:

WHERE something LIKE 'bla%'
OR something LIKE '%foo%'
OR something LIKE 'batz%'

Full-Text Search: A Powerful Solution

For scenarios requiring multiple LIKE conditions or a combination of LIKE and a set of values, Full-Text Search (FTS) provides a superior approach. Both Oracle and SQL Server offer FTS capabilities.

Oracle's FTS Implementation

Oracle uses the CONTAINS keyword with the OR operator to achieve the desired effect:

WHERE CONTAINS(t.something, 'bla OR foo OR batz', 1) > 0

SQL Server's FTS Implementation

SQL Server also employs CONTAINS, but with a slightly different syntax for pattern matching:

WHERE CONTAINS(t.something, '"bla*" OR "foo*" OR "batz*"')

Important Note: For optimal FTS performance, ensure the relevant column (t.something in these examples) is properly indexed using a full-text index.

Further Reading

• Oracle Text Documentation
• SQL Server Full-Text Search Documentation

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