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11.2 Building SQL Search Queries
In column-oriented tables, you can perform searches using the SQL SELECT statement.
Before building SQL search queries, the following prerequisites must be met:
● The tables you want to search are column-oriented.
● You have created any required views for the tables you want to search.
● You have created any required full text indexes for the columns you want to search.
SAP HANA supports the standard SQL search syntax and functions for search queries on nearly all visible data
types. You build SQL queries using the SELECT statement, as in the following example:
SELECT * FROM Contacts WHERE ID=1
However, in SAP HANA, columns of large object types and text have additional requirements. To enable search on
columns of these types, you must ensure the following requirements are met:
● Full text indexes have been created for the search-relevant columns. For columns of type TEXT and
SHORTTEXT, this is done automatically.
● Search queries on the columns use the CONTAINS predicate.
For large object types and text, you build SQL queries using the SELECT statement and CONTAINS predicate, as
in the following example:
SELECT * FROM Documents WHERE CONTAINS (*,'Comment')
To build a search query, proceed as follows:
1. Use the SQL SELECT statement and specify the table or view and column you want to search. If required,
include the CONTAINS predicate.
2. If required, specify scalar functions for the search.
3. Specify the search terms and, optionally, the search type (EXACT, LINGUISTIC, or FUZZY).
Note: If you do not specify a search type, by default, the search query is performed as an exact
search.
For further examples of the syntax used with the SELECT statement, see SAP HANA SQL Reference
Manual.
Related Links
SAP HANA SQL Reference Manual: SELECT
11.2.1 Search Queries with CONTAINS
In SAP HANA, you can search one or multiple columns by creating a query that includes the CONTAINS predicate.
In SAP HANA, a search query with CONTAINS has a look and feel similar to common Internet search engines.
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SAP HANA Developer Guide
Enabling Search