Mega Code Archive
Brackets
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If we use brackets, [whatever], we are asking for a match of whatever set of characters is included inside the brackets in any order.
Suppose we wanted to devise a query to find addresses where there is either an "i" or an "r."
SQL>
SQL> -- create demo table
SQL> create table myTable(
2 id NUMBER(2),
3 value VARCHAR(50)
4 );
Table created.
SQL>
SQL> insert into myTable(id, value)values(1,'1234 4th St. Vancouver');
1 row created.
SQL> insert into myTable(id, value)values(2,'4 Maple Ct. New York');
1 row created.
SQL> insert into myTable(id, value)values(3,'4321 Green Blvd. London');
1 row created.
SQL> insert into myTable(id, value)values(4,'33 Third St. Toronto');
1 row created.
SQL> insert into myTable(id, value)values(5,'One First Drive. Queen');
1 row created.
SQL> insert into myTable(id, value)values(6,'1664 1/2 Springhill Ave');
1 row created.
SQL> insert into myTable(id, value)values(7,'665 Fall Ave. Linken');
1 row created.
SQL>
SQL> select * from mytable;
ID VALUE
---------- --------------------------------------------------
1 1234 4th St. Vancouver
2 4 Maple Ct. New York
3 4321 Green Blvd. London
4 33 Third St. Toronto
5 One First Drive. Queen
6 1664 1/2 Springhill Ave
7 665 Fall Ave. Linken
7 rows selected.
SQL>
SQL> SELECT value, REGEXP_INSTR(value, '[ir]') where_it_is
2 FROM myTable;
VALUE WHERE_IT_IS
-------------------------------------------------- -----------
1234 4th St. Vancouver 22
4 Maple Ct. New York 19
4321 Green Blvd. London 7
33 Third St. Toronto 6
One First Drive. Queen 6
1664 1/2 Springhill Ave 12
665 Fall Ave. Linken 16
7 rows selected.
SQL>
SQL> drop table myTable;
Table dropped.
SQL>
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