How to adjust MySQL or MariaDB table name case sensitivity

MariaDB and MySQL table name is case sensitive if running on case-sensitive systems such as Linux and Unix. Windows, however, does not enforce case sensitivity for its folders and files. It is causing MySQL and MariaDB table names in Windows to be case-insensitive.

It means that a lowercase table named tablename is just the same as uppercase TABLENAME or TableName, and using any of these will not make any difference in your query. It is because MySQL and MariaDB store and query database tables based on the filesystem's filename and folder.

You can use case-insensitive table names for MySQL and MariaDB in Linux and other Unix systems or use case sensitive table names in Windows by enabling lower_case_table_names option in the configuration file.

1. Open MySQL or MariaDB configuration file using your favourite editor.

   $ sudo vi /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

   Related: Understanding MySQL and MariaDB configuration files

2. Find and set lower_case_table_names value in the [mysqld] section.

   lower_case_table_names=1

   Add the line if it doesn't already exist. Set the value to the followings as per your requirement.

   Value	Description
   0	Stored based on CREATE statement and case sensitive
   1	Stored in lowercase and not case sensitive
   2	Stored based on CREATE statement and not case sensitive

3. Save the configuration file and exit text editor.
4. Restart MySQL or MariaDB service.

   Related: How to manage MySQL or MariaDB service in Linux

5. Check if changes is successful.

   $ sudo mysqladmin -u root -p variables | grep lower_case_table_names
   Enter password: 
   | lower_case_table_names                                   | 1