MySQL like doesn't like `\`?

Question

I have a list of strings. They are all absolute paths (no relative at the moment) and they all start with \ (windows folder separator)

When I do a query with a like using

select * from list where name like @foo

and foo is

@"\a" + %

I get no results. If I use %\a% I get results. I then tried using mysql command line and wrote

where name like '\a%' limit 10;

I get no results there as well unless i write %\a%. Why doesn't it like \? and how do i have a string start with \a? I don't want to get \random\apples\file when I am expecting \apples\file

• ruakh: It sounds like an escaping issue. Have you tried doubling the backslash, i.e. @"\\a" + %?
• rekire: You should know that the backslash is used for escaping...
• user34537: @rekire: Shouldnt the fact that i'm putting the value through a parameter escape the value for me?

Answer 1

Because \ is the escaping character .

Try replacing it with \\ instead

Special Character Escape Sequences

• danielrsmith: See - dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/…
• user34537: seriously what the hell!? Very relevant. stackoverflow.com/questions/13614291/…

Answer 2

try this

\ is a sign which escapes the next sign.. sometimes used to escape a \" quote or the backslash itself

where name like '\\a%' limit 10;

• user34537: oops i forgot that its \ in the cli however wtf i thought parameter values would escape this