Is MySQL Table Name Case Sensitivity Dependent on the Operating System?

MySQL Table Name Case Sensitivity

In the realm of MySQL, the question of table name case sensitivity often arises, especially when it comes to cross-platform compatibility. Understanding the behavior of MySQL in this regard is crucial for managing data effectively.

General Rule

Typically, table names are case-insensitive in Windows operating systems but case-sensitive in most Unix-based systems, including Ubuntu, which is commonly used on servers.

Role of the Underlying System

The case sensitivity of table names in MySQL stems from the fact that databases are mapped to directories within the data directory. Tables, in turn, correspond to files within the database directory. Therefore, the case sensitivity of the underlying operating system dictates the case-sensitivity of database and table names.

Configuration Options

While the default behavior in Windows is case-insensitive, MySQL offers a configurable option to control how table names are stored on the disk. The system variable lower_case_table_names in the my.cnf configuration file allows administrators to specify whether table names should be stored in lowercase or in their original case.

Additional Information

For further details, refer to the section "10.2.2 Identifier Case Sensitivity" in the MySQL documentation. This section provides a comprehensive explanation of the case sensitivity behavior in MySQL and how to configure it to suit specific requirements.

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