All of the solutions are correct. But you may need to add %% on query param.
try here:
string q1 = "select * from register where areaofspecific like @area";
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@the", "%"+textBox4.Text+"%");
Not Here:
string q1 = "select * from register where areaofspecific like '%@area%'";
Finally I'll say to do this:
type %myarea% inside your textbox4 and code:
string q1 = "select * from register where areaofspecific like @area";
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("@the",textBox4.Text);
Because user will decide, will he give % or not inside his query.