# Filters (/using/client/filters)



`where({...})` takes an object whose keys are combined with `and`:

* a bare value means `eq`: `{ status: "paid" }`;
* `null` means `is null`: `{ raw: null }`;
* an operator object uses the operators: `{ total: { gte: "10", lt: "20" } }`. The operators are `eq`, `neq`, `lt`, `lte`, `gt`, `gte`, `in`, `is`, `like` and `ilike`; several in one object are combined with `and`, and `in: []` matches nothing;
* `and` and `or` take lists of filters, and `not` takes one filter.

Calling `where` again adds its conditions with `and`.

```ts twoslash
import { createClient } from "@chelabase/client";
import { type Database, types } from "./db";
const db = createClient<Database>({ url: "http://api.chelabase.localhost:8000", key: "chk_pub_…", types });
// ---cut---
const tree = db
  .from("orders")
  .where({ status: "paid", total: { gte: "10", lt: "20" } })
  .where({ not: { tags: null }, or: [{ vip: true }, { qty: { in: [1, 2] } }] })
  .toTree();
```

An `undefined` value throws a `TypeError` rather than silently dropping the condition; leave the key out instead.

## Columns named `and`, `or` or `not` [#columns-named-and-or-or-not]

A column named `and`, `or` or `not` can't be a key, because those keys are the combinators. Reach it with a condition object `{ col, <operator>: value }` inside an `and`/`or` list, or under `not`:

```ts twoslash
import { createClient } from "@chelabase/client";
import { type Database, types } from "./db";
const db = createClient<Database>({ url: "http://api.chelabase.localhost:8000", key: "chk_pub_…", types });
// ---cut---
const tree = db.from("orders").where({ and: [{ col: "and", eq: "x" }, { status: "paid" }] }).toTree();
```

Inside a list (or under `not`), an object whose only keys are `col` (a string) and operators is read as a condition object; any other object is a filter.

## json and jsonb values that look like operators [#json-and-jsonb-values-that-look-like-operators]

A json or jsonb value that looks like operators (`{ meta: { eq: 1 } }`) is read as operators, not as the object to compare with. Compare such a value with a condition object:

```ts twoslash
import { createClient } from "@chelabase/client";
import { type Database, types } from "./db";
const db = createClient<Database>({ url: "http://api.chelabase.localhost:8000", key: "chk_pub_…", types });
// ---cut---
const tree = db.from("orders").where({ and: [{ col: "meta", eq: { eq: 1 } }] }).toTree();
```