MariaDB and MySQL table name is case sensitive if it's running on case-sensitive systems such as in Linux and Unix. Windows however does not enforce case sensitivity for its folders and files 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 MariaDBstore 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.

Steps to set case sensitivity for MySQL and MariaDB table names:

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

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

    Related: MySQL/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 restart MySQL/MariaDB service

  5. Check if changes is successful. 

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