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AskSQLTeam
Ask SQLTeam Question
0 Posts |
 Posted - 2006-02-16 : 07:53:56
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| Rusty writes "I have used the "Like" clause to filter text fields based on a character mask. We currently have some ID numbers stored in a character field. So when I apply an Like mask of "51%", I get fields equal 51, 510, 5100, 51989, 519, 512, etc...I am planning on creating a new table, but I was thinking of storing the ID numbers as integers, not characters. Will I still be able to use a Like mask to find all records in the example described above? Is it possible to do Like filters with numeric fields?" |
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madhivanan
Premature Yak Congratulator
22864 Posts |
Posted - 2006-02-16 : 07:56:46
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| Like operator will very well work on integers also. Apply the same queryMadhivananFailing to plan is Planning to fail |
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jsmith8858
Dr. Cross Join
7423 Posts |
Posted - 2006-02-16 : 08:43:18
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quote:
Originally posted by AskSQLTeam
Rusty writes "I have used the "Like" clause to filter text fields based on a character mask. We currently have some ID numbers stored in a character field. So when I apply an Like mask of "51%", I get fields equal 51, 510, 5100, 51989, 519, 512, etc...I am planning on creating a new table, but I was thinking of storing the ID numbers as integers, not characters. Will I still be able to use a Like mask to find all records in the example described above? Is it possible to do Like filters with numeric fields?"
Here is my obligitory normalization rant (you all knew it was coming):Please consider re-designing your database in a normalized manner so that you store multiple values for that column in multiple ROWS in a related table. this way, you can use regular SQL statements to retrieve and manipulate your data very easily, you can declare foreign key constraints to have data integrity, and you will not have to worry about inefficent and sloppy workarounds like this one.End of rant.EDIT: almost forgot the link:http://www.datamodel.org/NormalizationRules.html |
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Use of the "Like" Clause