revDAVE wrote:
> Newbie - is there a function similar to the sql 'like' comparison operator?
> 
> I would like to be able to compare 2 strings:
> 
> If $this ---*like or similar to*--- $that
> 
> That type of thing...

I strongly suggest you read up on regular expressions:
http://uk.php.net/manual/en/book.regex.php

Knowing how to use regular expressions is a a very handy skill. I do a 
lot of mass changing of files via the command line with tools such as 
grep, sed and awk and a mastery regular expressions can save hours of 
laborious typing and find/replacing ;)

Reminds me of one of my favourite xkcd cartoons:
http://xkcd.com/208/

Col