Symbols used to represent any value when selecting specific files. In DOS, Windows and Unix, the asterisk (*) represents any collection of characters, and the question mark (?) represents a single character. In SQL, the percent sign (%) and underscore (_) are used for matching text. Note the following examples:
DOS and Windows (case insensitive)
*.gif .gif or .GIF extension
a*.gif beginning with "a" or "A"
boot.* all files named "BooT"
any mix upper/lower case
*.d* extensions starting with
"d" or "D"
?abc 1ABC, 2abc, etc.
??abc 10ABC, xxabc, etc.
Windows only (case insensitive)
*t.jpg JPEG files ending with "T"
Unix only (case sensitive)
*.jpg .jpg extension
*.JPG .JPG extension
a*.jpg beginning with "a"
A*.jpg beginning with "A"
boot.* all files named "boot"
BOOT.* all files named "BOOT"
?abc 1abc, xabc, etc.
??ABC 10ABC, XXABC, etc.
SQL
Good% begining with "Good"
_bcd any name followed by "bcd"