PHP/MySQL SELECT most similar (help me)

[TitusRevised]

Is there an sql function to SELECT any rows in a table most similar to a field... like instead of SELECT * FROM table WHERE field LIKE '%$string%' which finds a row with keyword $string, so if $string is "hi my name is" but there isnt a row like but there is a row "hello my name is" it would pull that row because its most similar.

PHP example:
<?php
$string = trim(strip_tags(addslashes($_POST['usermsg'])));
$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM table WHERE field = '%$string%");
// This finds me a row where field "field" has the $string in it exactly somewhere
?>
How can I make it so that if it's not exact it pulls out the row with the field "field" most similar to $string?

Your great wisdom and intelligence on the matter to assist me is appreciated greatly.

[hvle]

is this a text search?

[TitusRevised]

[quote author=hvle link=topic=101617.msg402305#msg402305 date=1153710195]
is this a text search?
[/quote]
yes, $string is a string...text

[hvle]

you might want to look at "match .. against()" in mysql manual

[448191]

Yes, you can use full-text searching. If, this is manditory, you're able to add a fulltext index on the column you want to search.