How to trim a string !

[Raji]

I have a MYSQL database which has a student name, year and register number(rno) fields.

In this rno filed length is 8 characters

I use PHP with this query
$result="select * from $tabname where RNO like '%$rno%'"

My problem is, I have some hundred candidates whose register number length is only 4
The regular length is 8 eg. 56001234

Some have like this 1034

How to get the rno for such candidates

Please help

[raf]

I don't see the problem.

I see some other things though:
- if the rno is alvaus anumerical valu, then you should have a numerical variable (an INT ), and not a stringvariable.
- why do you need a like operator? Cant's you use an '=' operator?

If you want to keep the values in a string-column, then it should be a varchar column, so VARCHAR(8)

More info on columntypes
http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/Column_types.html

[Raji]

Thanks I have solved it!