What does % stand for in the following scenario?

Question

I have a php script that’s job is to edit a database entry. Within the code a variable is defined as follows-

$client= "%".$webdata['searchcolumnclient']."%";

$webdata is an array. Why is there a modulo being concatenated on either side?

I understand this might not be enough information, if not please let me know and I’ll try explain further but I’d really appreciate no snide remarks.

Thanks
:)

Answer 1

This looks like a database query with LIKE operator.

Answer 2

Example: Select * from clients where name like ‘%arra%’. This will return all the clients for witch the name contains arra no metter the positon

Answer 3

thanks for the name! ive been able to google search and find information on it now :)