LIBERAL_MATCH (XPS Only)

The LIBERAL_MATCH environment variable allows the database server to ignore trailing blanks when the LIKE and MATCHES operators occur in SQL statements that compare two column values.

>>-setenv--LIBERAL_MATCH---------------------------------------><

When this environment variable is set, the database server ignores trailing blanks in a LIKE or MATCHES condition. For example, if LIBERAL_MATCH is set, and you specify "M LIKE P" when P contains trailing blank spaces that do not occur in M, the result is TRUE. When this environment variable is not set, the database server returns FALSE for string comparisons like this that differ only in trailing blank characters.

This environment variable supports behavior consistent with that of the LIKE and MATCHES operators in database servers, Versions 7.x and 9.x. This behavior (like the MATCHES operator) is an extension to the ANSI/ISO standard for SQL.

For more information about the LIKE and MATCHES operators, refer to the IBM Informix: Guide to SQL Syntax.