LIKE() Compares character strings using wildcard characters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Syntax LIKE(<cString1>,<cString2>) --> lEqual Arguments <cString1> Designates the wildcard string for comparison. All wildcards must be in this character string. <cString2> Designates the string to compare to <cString1>. Returns LIKE() returns .T. when, after taking wildcards into account, both character strings are equal. Description This function allows you to compare two character strings with one another, where the first can contain wildcard characters. This is similar to the way wildcard characters are used in conjunction with DOS commands but not identical. Any single character matches a "?" in the first string (see examples). The "*" within <cString1> can be placed anywhere and matches multiple characters. You can also use multiple "*". Note . You can also use wildcard characters in conjunction with an array of other string functions by using the SETATLIKE() switch, but only for the "?". Examples . This example shows differences from DOS: Dir XYZ?.DBF // shows XYZ.DBF and XYZ1.DBF ? LIKE("XYZ?", "XYZ") // .F. ? LIKE("XYZ?", "XYZ1") // .T. . This example shows other combinations: ? LIKE("*OG.*", "PROG.PRG") // .T. ? LIKE("*OG.*", "LOG.PRG") // .T. ? LIKE("*R*T*", "PROTO") // .T. ? LIKE("*R*T*?", "PROTO") // .F. ? LIKE("*R*T*?", "PROTO2") // .T. . Use wildcards in the first parameter only: ? LIKE("*PER", "CLIPPER") // .T. ? LIKE("CLIPPER", "*PER") // .F.
See Also: SETATLIKE()