Alternatives to LIKE in SQL

Hey All

I'm going to be doing some mass-scans of RPGLE source, and I'm trying to figure
out if there's a better way than using the SQL LIKE keyword.

I was thinking I'd to do Dynamic SQL that looks something like this:


SELECT COUNT(*) FROM SRCMBR
  WHERE SRCDTA LIKE '%<field name>%' AND
    SUBSTR(srcdta,7,1) <> '*' 

This select does two character comparasons, which can't be cheap, and the LIKE
has to do a pattern match which is likewise expensive.  However, I don't know
enough about SQL to do anything that would be less intensive.

This is part of a set of programs that will enable me to keep track of various
versions of our product at certain customer sites.  For that reason, I want
this solution to be as automated as possible (otherwise, I'd wumpus up some
quick and dirty programs driven through a PDM option).

Any ideas?

Thanks

-Doc