PostgreSQL 18 reference · String Functions

PostgreSQL STARTS_WITH() Function

Return true if a string starts with a given prefix. The ^@ operator does the same and can use an index.

PostgreSQL 18 Since 11

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Syntax

starts_with(string, prefix)  |  string ^@ prefix

Parameter	Description
`string`	The input text.
`prefix`	The prefix to test.

boolean.

Test a prefix

SELECT starts_with('https://readycamel.com', 'https') AS a, 'Ada' ^@ 'Al' AS b;

Output

 a | b
---+---
 t | f
(1 row)

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Filter rows

SELECT name FROM products WHERE starts_with(name, 'S');

Output

       name
-------------------
 SQL for Beginners
 Standing Desk Mat
(2 rows)

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Version	Change
PostgreSQL 11	Added

POSITION() · Return the 1-based position of a substring inside a string, or 0 if it isn't found. strpos() takes the arguments in the other order.
ILIKE · Match a string against a LIKE pattern ignoring case: % matches any text and _ one character. ~~* is the operator form.
SQL String Functions · tutorial