2012-03-13Functions

MySQL 5.6 does neither support virtual columns nor function-based indexing like described below. MySQL is case-insensitive by default, but that can be controlled on column level. Virtual columns are in the queue for version 6.

The backup solution is to create a real column in the table that holds the result of the function or expression. The column must be maintained by a trigger or by the application layer—whatever is more appropriate. The new column can be indexed. The where clause must use the new column (without the expression).