Using index for substring search

Lec wrote:

Is it possible for postgreSQL 7.2 to use index search for the following
queries:

select name from item where substring(itemcode,1,3) = '101';
select name from item where itemcode like '101%';

if I have an index on itemcode.

Version 6.5.3 can use index search for the first query.

Are you sure? 7.2 and I thought earlier releases could only use an
index on the second query. There is even an FAQ item.

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