search for multiple keywords with php and mysql (where X like)

Question

I have a code that dynamically search for data in the database using ajax but I can search for only 1 keyword in a time. I would like to modify it so I can search for multiple keywords. Now, if I type 2 keywords separated by a space and in the database, the data is not separated by a space, there will be no result. If in the database the data is: 'playstation3' or 'play cool station3' and I search for: play station there would be no results. I would like to know if it possible to modify my code so I can search 2 or more keywords or words separated by a space or another word or a DOT or an underscore or a (-) or a (+) or a (%) or (anything else lol). I know that I should use pdo or mysqli but i'm using this for testing only! ``` $queried = $_POST['query']; $search = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM links WHERE name LIKE '%$queried%'"); while($searche = mysql_fetch_array($search)){ echo "".$searche['link']."
".$searche['name']."
".$searche['size']."
".$searche['category']."

Accepted Answer

To dynamically search all keywords, you can use the explode function to seperate all keywords;

```
$queried = mysql_real_escape_string($_POST['query']); // always escape

$keys = explode(" ",$queried);

$sql = "SELECT * FROM links WHERE name LIKE '%$queried%' ";

foreach($keys as $k){
    $sql .= " OR name LIKE '%$k%' ";
}

$result = mysql_query($sql);
```

Note 1: Always escape user input before using it in your query.

Note 2: mysql_* functions are deprecated, use Mysqli or PDO as an alternative

Update 2018 - Note 3: Don't forget to check the length of the `$queried` variable and set a limit. Otherwise the user can input a vary large string and crash your database.

search for multiple keywords with php and mysql (where X like)

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