Multiple Searches in MySQL

I'd really appreciate responses on how to do this:

I'm trying to select records based on multiple critera.

$test is a variable that comes in from a form.

$query2 = "SELECT * FROM trovemain WHERE (cata LIKE '%$test%')";

This is selecting anything that has $test anywhere in the field "cata".

Two questions:

1. will this pick up fields that start or end with $test?

2. How can I do some logical operators like AND and OR.

I'd like to use not just $test, but about 10-15 variables and select out records that have variableA AND variableB AND variableC OR variableD

I can't figure out how to do this...

your help is appreciated.

1. will this pick up fields that start or end with $test?

>> should do both

2. How can I do some logical operators like AND and OR.

<?
$searchlist=array("cat", "dog", "mouse");

$query="SELECT * from trovemain WHERE ";
for($i=0;$i<count($searchlist); $i++)
$query.="cata LIKE '%$searchlist[$i]%' OR ";
$query=substr($query, 0 -3); // strip off last 'OR '
$query.=" order by some_column";

//run the query
?>

You can make the $searchlist array an array of variables from the form.

You could also include a radio button saying "Search by ALL terms" (AND) or "Search by ANY term" (OR) - this will give you the ability to choose AND or OR for your query syntax.