Question

I am working with a large database with over 1,000 products. Each product has an SKU code. I have am developing a script where certain products are removed depending on the first two and last two characters. I was wondering if there was a quick way to do delete these using MySQL only.

Is there a way I can use the WHERE statement to search for values that start with “XX” and end with “XX”?

If not then I don’t mind doing it the good old PHP way, I just think a MySQL way would be more effiencient.

Many Thanks,
Peter

Answer 1

That’s a simple delete statement

delete from products
where sku_code like 'XX%XX'

if you want products, which either start with XX or end with XX use an or condition

delete from products
where sku_code like 'XX%'
      or sku_code like '%XX'

See SQL Fiddle for testing.