Sql-server – SQL Contains exact phrase

containsfull-text-searchsql serversql-server-2014

I try to implement a search-mechanism with "CONTAINS()" on a SQL Server 2014.

I've read here https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms142538%28v=sql.105%29.aspx and in the book "Pro Full-Text Search in SQL Server 2008" that I need to use double quotes to search an exact phrase.

But e.q. if I use this CONTAINS(*, '"test"') I receive results containing words like "numerictest" also. If I try CONTAINS(*, '" test "') it is the same. I've noticed, that there are less results as if I would search with CONTAINS(*, '*test*') for a prefix, sufix search, so there is definitely a delta between the searches.

I didn't expect the "numerictest" in the first statement. Is there an explanation for this behaviour?

Best Answer

I have been wracking my brain about a very similar problem and I recently found the solution.

In my case I was searching full text fields for "@username" but using CONTAINS(body, "@username") returned just "username" as well. I wanted it to strictly match with the @ sign.

I could use LIKE "%@username%" but the query took over a minute which was unacceptable so I kept looking.

With the help of some people in a chat room they suggested using both CONTAINS and LIKE. So:

SELECT TOP 25 * FROM table WHERE

CONTAINS(body, "@username") AND body LIKE "%@username%";

this worked perfectly for me because the contains pulls both username and @username records and then the LIKE filters out the ones with the @ sign. Queries take 2-3 seconds now.

I know this is an old question but I came across it in my searching so having the answer I thought I would post it. I hope this helps.

Syntax:

ALTER TABLE {TABLENAME} 
ADD {COLUMNNAME} {TYPE} {NULL|NOT NULL} 
CONSTRAINT {CONSTRAINT_NAME} DEFAULT {DEFAULT_VALUE}
WITH VALUES

Example:

ALTER TABLE SomeTable
        ADD SomeCol Bit NULL --Or NOT NULL.
 CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol --When Omitted a Default-Constraint Name is autogenerated.
    DEFAULT (0)--Optional Default-Constraint.
WITH VALUES --Add if Column is Nullable and you want the Default Value for Existing Records.

Notes:

Optional Constraint Name:
If you leave out CONSTRAINT D_SomeTable_SomeCol then SQL Server will autogenerate
a Default-Contraint with a funny Name like: DF__SomeTa__SomeC__4FB7FEF6

Optional With-Values Statement:
The WITH VALUES is only needed when your Column is Nullable
and you want the Default Value used for Existing Records.
If your Column is NOT NULL, then it will automatically use the Default Value
for all Existing Records, whether you specify WITH VALUES or not.

How Inserts work with a Default-Constraint:
If you insert a Record into SomeTable and do not Specify SomeCol's value, then it will Default to 0.
If you insert a Record and Specify SomeCol's value as NULL (and your column allows nulls),
then the Default-Constraint will not be used and NULL will be inserted as the Value.

Notes were based on everyone's great feedback below.
Special Thanks to:
@Yatrix, @WalterStabosz, @YahooSerious, and @StackMan for their Comments.

Sql-server – How to check if a column exists in a SQL Server table

SQL Server 2005 onwards:

IF EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM sys.columns 
          WHERE Name = N'columnName'
          AND Object_ID = Object_ID(N'schemaName.tableName'))
BEGIN
    -- Column Exists
END

Martin Smith's version is shorter:

IF COL_LENGTH('schemaName.tableName', 'columnName') IS NOT NULL
BEGIN
    -- Column Exists
END

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Sql – Add a column with a default value to an existing table in SQL Server

Syntax:

Example:

Notes:

Sql-server – How to check if a column exists in a SQL Server table

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