using mysql to search for a value in a comma delineated list?

[jwocky]

I have a table in mysql with comma delineated values, i'm wondering if anyone knows a good strategy to searching for a value inside the comma delineated list across multiple tables?

thanks!

[Eikinskjaldi]

Originally Posted by jwocky

I have a table in mysql with comma delineated values, i'm wondering if anyone knows a good strategy to searching for a value inside the comma delineated list across multiple tables?

thanks!

Not entirely sure what "across multiple tables" means. You can use find_in_set to search a list for a value

select blah from table where find_in_set(value, comma_list_field)

It does an ALL table scan and is thus inefficient, and should only be used when you have a very small table or where clauses that limit the scan to a small range.

[jwocky]

Thanks! thats EXACTLY what I needed. Much much appreciated