drop table if exists t1; create table t1 (t1 char(3) primary key); insert into t1 values("ABC"); insert into t1 values("ABA"); insert into t1 values("AB%"); select * from t1 where t1="ABC"; t1 ABC select * from t1 where t1="ABCD"; t1 select * from t1 where t1 like "a_\%"; t1 AB% describe select * from t1 where t1="ABC"; id select_type table type possible_keys key key_len ref rows Extra 1 SIMPLE t1 const PRIMARY PRIMARY 3 const 1 Using index describe select * from t1 where t1="ABCD"; id select_type table type possible_keys key key_len ref rows Extra 1 SIMPLE NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL NULL Impossible WHERE noticed after reading const tables drop table t1;