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holemania

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SQL filter on dynamic keyword

I have a table with a "Description" field.  In the description field we either put a no dollar sign, 1 dollar sign, 2 dollar sign, and 3 dollar.  Each dollar sign symbolize something.  I want to create a filter, where the user can put in no dollar sign and it will pull everything.  Filter with just 1 dollar sign and only those with 1 dollar sign will get filter out etc.

SELECT ITEM_ID, DESCRIPTION
FROM  PART_MASTER
WHERE (
(LEFT(DESCRIPTION, 1) <> @FILTER OR @FILTER = '')
AND (LEFT(DESCRIPTION, 2) = @FILTER OR @FILTER = '')
AND (LEFT(DESCRIPTION, 3) = @FILTER OR @FILTER = '')
)

Only issue with the above is that if I put in a $, it filter everything including the rows with the 2 and 3 dollar sign as will.  Any ideas?
Avatar of ThomasMcA2
ThomasMcA2

The "<>" in your code should be "=".

To fix your issue, add a check for the next character using SUBSTR, like this:
SUBSTR(DESCRIPTION, 2, 1) <> "$"

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Also, you only need to check if @FILTER = '' once.

The above ideas create this solution:

SELECT ITEM_ID, DESCRIPTION
FROM  PART_MASTER
WHERE (
@FILTER = ''
OR (LEFT(DESCRIPTION, 1) = @FILTER AND SUBSTR(DESCRIPTION, 2, 1) <> "$")
OR (LEFT(DESCRIPTION, 2) = @FILTER AND SUBSTR(DESCRIPTION, 3, 1) <> "$")
OR (LEFT(DESCRIPTION, 3) = @FILTER
)
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Avatar of Scott Pletcher
Scott Pletcher
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@Scott, wouldn't your idea select $$$ entries when $$ is entered? (Since the left 2 columns of $$$ match the input of $$.)
Nah, check it again.  You got my initial stab it only :-) .
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ASKER

Thank you.  This works wonderfully and just what I need.