What are the differences between = and LIKE in a MySQL query?

In MySQL queries, the "=" operator is used for exact matches, while the "LIKE" operator is used for pattern matching. When using "=", the query will only return results that match the exact value specified. On the other hand, when using "LIKE", you can use wildcard characters such as "%" to match patterns within the data. Example: To search for a specific value in a column, you would use the "=" operator: SELECT * FROM table_name WHERE column_name = 'value'; To search for a pattern within a column, you would use the "LIKE" operator: SELECT * FROM table_name WHERE column_name LIKE '%pattern%';