Using a Like Statement to Query an Oracle Database

Question

I have made several attempts to query an Oracle database using a "like" statement and I either get no results or Invalid column index or Invalid number errors. Here are the different SQL statements I tried to use: 
 SELECT application_name FROM web.vw_oracle_dds_inventory where application_name like ac!test +'%' order by application_name 
 SELECT application_name FROM web.vw_oracle_dds_inventory where application_name like '%'+ ac!test +'%' order by application_name 
 
 The reason I am using a like statement is that I am trying to limit the amount of application names that are returned in a dropdown box since only 100 will show according to our setup. I am trying to narrow the search results. Can someone help me with the syntax. 
 
 Thanking you in advance, 
 Tony C.

Robert Shankin · Answer

Hi Tony - 
 
In the long run, with your Appian designer hat on, you'll be glad you got cozy with Appian queries sooner rather than later. 
Have a look at the following info on querying the DB with Appian functions. 
 
 docs.appian.com/.../Query_Recipes.html 
 docs.appian.com/.../fnc_system_a_queryfilter.html 
 docs.appian.com/.../Appian_Data_Types.html 
 docs.appian.com/.../Appian_Data_Types.html 
 
Also, keep in mind that if you want to put a hard limit on the size of your result set - you can build that logic into a view, and then retrieve the limited size result set with a more simple query.