Searching for specific patterns using MySQL and PHP - What is the best approach?

Question

Searching for specific patterns using MySQL and PHP - What is the best approach?

Having just started working with MySQL and PHP, I am uncertain about how to proceed. Despite reading up on pattern matching, I still find myself struggling to apply this knowledge to my specific issue.

In my database, I have a column dedicated to codes (Column 1) and another column for the corresponding meanings (Column 2). Here is an example of the data:

+---------------+-----------+
| Code          | Meaning   |
+---------------+-----------+
| A5-B10-C11-D3 | object 1  | 
| A5-B10-C50-D8 | object 2  |
| A6-B10-C11-D7 | object 3  | 
| A2-B10-C11-D9 | object 4  |
| A5-B19-C11-D7 | object 5  | 
| A1-B10-C50-D8 | object 6  |
+---------------+-----------+

I aim to create a search function that allows users to filter the first column by selecting from the following patterns:

Beginning with (X...) - entering 'A5' would return Objects 1, 2 & 5
Ending with (..X) - inputting 'D7' would retrieve Objects 3 & 5
Contains in succession (X Y) - typing 'A5 B10' would display Objects 1 & 2
Contains in any order (X Y) with Y always following X - searching 'B10 C11' would show Objects 1, 3 & 4 or 'B10 D8' would result in Objects 2 & 6
Contains both but without order - where Y can precede or follow X - submitting 'D7 A5' would yield Object 5.

This should provide a good starting point, bearing in mind that there may be more complex codes like B10-B10-A1-D15-C8, with the search options designed to cover all possible patterns.

Thank you in advance for your help. If my requirements are unclear, please let me know so I can provide further explanation or additional examples.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

The solution of breaking down each code part (A5, B10, etc.) into separate rows is not suitable for my needs.

A more practical approach for me would involve organizing the data as follows:

 +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
 | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place | Meaning   |
 +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
 | A5        | B10       | C11       | D3        | object 1  | 
 | A5        | B10       | C50       | D8        | object 2  |
 | A6        | B10       | C11       | D7        | object 3  | 
 | A2        | B10       | C11       | D9        | object 4  |
 | A5        | B19       | C11       | D7        | object 5  | 
 | A1        | B10       | C50       | D8        | object 6  |
 +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

For example, the code A5-B10-C11-D3 corresponds to Object 1.

Therefore, my ideal search functionality would allow users to query using various methods and receive relevant results:

No order: B10 - Result: Objects 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Begin with: B10 - Result: none.
End with: B10 - Result: none.
No order: A5-B10 (or A5 B10, without dash) - Result: Objects 1, 2
Begin with: A5-B10 (or A5 B10, without dash) - Result: Objects 1, 2
End with: A5-B10 (or A5 B10, without dash) - Result: none.
Contain both (order Y after X, w/o or w/ other characters between) B10-C11 (or B10 C11, without dash) - Result: Object 1, 2, 4.
etc.

Is it feasible to implement such a search system?

php mysql database search pattern-matching

Answer 1

Answer №1

You have the option to utilize the LIKE operator for various pattern matches.

To find codes beginning with: WHERE code LIKE 'A5-%'
To find codes ending with: WHERE code LIKE '%-D7'
To find codes containing specific characters in succession: WHERE code LIKE '%A5-B10-%
To find codes containing specific characters in a particular order: WHERE code LIKE '%B10-%C11%'
To find codes containing specific characters in either order: This would require using OR:
```
WHERE code LIKE '%D7-%A5%' OR code LIKE '%A5-%D7%'
```

The efficiency of these queries is compromised, except for those involving "beginning with," as they are unable to leverage indexes. If your codes exhibit a structured pattern, it may be beneficial to store them in separate columns for more targeted searches.

An alternate approach is to normalize your data by separating each part into distinct rows of another table, with a foreign key linking back to its meaning.

Codes:

Part_Num    Code    Meaning_ID
1           A5      1
2           B10     1
3           C11     1
4           D3      1
1           A5      2
2           B10     2
3           C50     2
4           D8      2

Meanings:

ID  Meaning
1   object 1
2   object 2

You can then perform tests like:

WHERE Part_Num = 1 AND Code = 'A5'
WHERE Part_Num = 4 AND Code = 'D7'

To retrieve codes in succession:

SELECT a.Meaning_ID
FROM Codes AS a
JOIN Codes AS b ON a.Meaning_ID = b.Meaning_ID AND a.Part_Num = b.Part_Num - 1
WHERE a.Code = 'A5' AND b.Code = 'B10';

To retrieve codes in sequence, but not succession:

SELECT a.Meaning_ID
FROM Codes AS a
JOIN Codes AS b ON a.Meaning_ID = b.Meaning_ID AND a.Part_Num < b.Part_Num
WHERE a.Code = 'B10' AND b.Code = 'C11';

To retrieve codes in any order:

SELECT Meaning_ID
FROM Codes
WHERE Code IN ('D7', 'A5')
HAVING COUNT(*) = 2

With the new table structure where codes are divided into separate columns, you can execute the last query as follows:

WHERE 'D7' IN (1stPlace, 2ndPlace, 3rdPlace, 4thPlace) AND 'A5' IN (1stPlace, 2ndPlace, 3rdPlace, 4thPlace)

Answer 2

You have the option to utilize the LIKE operator for various pattern matches.

To find codes beginning with: WHERE code LIKE 'A5-%'
To find codes ending with: WHERE code LIKE '%-D7'
To find codes containing specific characters in succession: WHERE code LIKE '%A5-B10-%
To find codes containing specific characters in a particular order: WHERE code LIKE '%B10-%C11%'
To find codes containing specific characters in either order: This would require using OR:
```
WHERE code LIKE '%D7-%A5%' OR code LIKE '%A5-%D7%'
```

The efficiency of these queries is compromised, except for those involving "beginning with," as they are unable to leverage indexes. If your codes exhibit a structured pattern, it may be beneficial to store them in separate columns for more targeted searches.

An alternate approach is to normalize your data by separating each part into distinct rows of another table, with a foreign key linking back to its meaning.

Codes:

Part_Num    Code    Meaning_ID
1           A5      1
2           B10     1
3           C11     1
4           D3      1
1           A5      2
2           B10     2
3           C50     2
4           D8      2

Meanings:

ID  Meaning
1   object 1
2   object 2

You can then perform tests like:

WHERE Part_Num = 1 AND Code = 'A5'
WHERE Part_Num = 4 AND Code = 'D7'

To retrieve codes in succession:

SELECT a.Meaning_ID
FROM Codes AS a
JOIN Codes AS b ON a.Meaning_ID = b.Meaning_ID AND a.Part_Num = b.Part_Num - 1
WHERE a.Code = 'A5' AND b.Code = 'B10';

To retrieve codes in sequence, but not succession:

SELECT a.Meaning_ID
FROM Codes AS a
JOIN Codes AS b ON a.Meaning_ID = b.Meaning_ID AND a.Part_Num < b.Part_Num
WHERE a.Code = 'B10' AND b.Code = 'C11';

To retrieve codes in any order:

SELECT Meaning_ID
FROM Codes
WHERE Code IN ('D7', 'A5')
HAVING COUNT(*) = 2

With the new table structure where codes are divided into separate columns, you can execute the last query as follows:

WHERE 'D7' IN (1stPlace, 2ndPlace, 3rdPlace, 4thPlace) AND 'A5' IN (1stPlace, 2ndPlace, 3rdPlace, 4thPlace)

Searching for specific patterns using MySQL and PHP - What is the best approach?

Answer №1

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