SQL like conditions

Question

Hi,

What does this mean within my like statement?

LIKE '%[ .,!?]' + keyword + '[ .,!?]%'

I'm trying to get something, that will match for whole words

Answer 1

LIKE '%[ .,!?]' + keyword + '[ .,!?]%'

means

find anything that meets these conditions:

• Is preceded by a space, comma, exclamation, question mark
• Matches the keyword
• Is followed by a space, comma, exclamation, question mark

Answer 2

Just remember that this will lead to a full table/index scan, if your table is large you may need to rethink.