Searches involving multiple use of Like operator and wildcards

• Stephen Stombaugh

  SSC Rookie

  Points: 27

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  July 11, 2007 at 3:03 pm

  #173449

  I am a Database Developer using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 as the back end client to a multi-tier Internet Application.

  I have one application which calls for searching specific columns in multiple related tables using the 'LIKE' operator and Wildcards.  There is one parameter which may show up in any one of the columns of any of the tables.  With a small number of rows in each table there is no problem, but I suspect that as the tables grow, the problem will begin to show.

  Additionally, I am being asked to expand the search to where the parameter string includes multiple words which any combination need to be used in a search in multiple columns, again using the Like operator, and wildcards. 

  Has anyone found a more optimized solution which will not take too long to run, and also not take up too much of available resources?

  Are there 3rd party tools which support this type of searches?

  Thanks for your help,

  Steve

• WesleyB

  Ten Centuries

  Points: 1307

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  July 12, 2007 at 12:22 pm

  #719071

  Have you checked the Full Text Search engine included in SQL Server?