Use a variable with "LIKE %" (e.g. "variable%") in PL/SQL?

oracle, plsql, sql, sqlplus

Solution

As per my understanding to your issue, you are using variable `search` within quotes. Put your variable outside the quotes, e.g.:

 create or replace procedure PROC1(search VARCHAR2) 
 IS
  cursor test_cur(search IN VARCHAR2)
   IS
    SELECT student_name 
    FROM student
    WHERE student_name LIKE search||'%'; --you're putting you variable within quotes

 v_temp_var student.student_name%TYPE;

BEGIN

 OPEN test_cur(search);
  LOOP
   FETCH test_cur INTO v_temp_var;
    EXIT WHEN test_cur%NOTFOUND;

    DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(v_temp_var);  
  END LOOP;

 CLOSE test_cur;

END test;

Problem

The question is similar to using LIKE in SQL *PLUS, where a select statement contains a LIKE clause as follows: ``` select * from sometable where somecolumn LIKE 'something%'; ``` How could one use the same within a cursor? I tried using the following: ``` cursor c is select * from sometable where somecolumn like 'something%'; ``` same as above EDIT: I need to get something as a parameter, meaning, the select statement is executed within a stored procedure. EDIT 2: ``` create procedure proc1 (search VARCHAR) is cursor c is select student_name from students where student_name like 'search%'; ``` --I know using 'search%' retrieves student names containing 'the key search', but is there any other way to use such a variable. ``` do something; end; ``` In short, I need to select student names containing a value that is passed as a parameter; this may not be the whole name, and may suffice enough to be used within a like clause.

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