mysql: What is the right syntax for NOT LIKE?

Question

Hi I am trying to show tables with names not like a pattern by mysql is throws an error:

SHOW TABLES  NOT LIKE  "tree%";

returns:

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'NOT LIKE "tree%"' at line 1

What is the right syntax?

Thanks Arman.

Answer 1

You could use the WHERE clause extension, as in:

SHOW TABLES WHERE `Tables_in_<DatabaseName>` NOT LIKE 'tree%';

This is supported on MySQL ≥5.0.

Reference:

• 12.4.5.39. SHOW TABLES Syntax.
• 20.28. Extensions to SHOW Statements.

Answer 2

LIKE and NOT LIKE are used with SELECT statements. I don't think this works with the SHOW TABLES command.

Answer 3

According to this feature request, this has been introduced in mySQL 5.0.3. However, people there disagree, and it doesn't work in my 5.1.41 installation, either.

I guess the answer is it's not possible.