MySQL case sensitive table names on Linux

Moving a MySQL database from Windows to Linux I have the problem that on Linux the names of the tables are case sensitive. This is a problem, because the Java application that I am developing can't find tables.

I have changed my /etc/mysql/my.cnf file adding the row:

lower_case_table_names=1

But that did not change anything.

My server version is:
5.1.61-0ubuntu0.11.10.1 (Ubuntu)

How can I configure MySQL to ignore case in table names?

Just altering the lower_case_table_names setting isn't enough. It needs to be done before you import your database(s).

The MySQL 5.1 documentation lists a procedure for moving between Windows and Linux/UNIX. This will ensure that your desired rules for enforcing case sensitivity are followed. Take a look and verify that you did these steps in the correct order:


To convert one or more entire databases, dump them before setting
lower_case_table_names, then drop the databases, and reload them after
setting lower_case_table_names:


1 - Use mysqldump to dump each database:


mysqldump --databases db1 > db1.sql


mysqldump --databases db2 >
db2.sql


... Do this for each database that must be recreated.


2 - Use DROP DATABASE to drop each database.


3 - Stop the server, set lower_case_table_names in the [mysqld] section of your \etc\mysql\my.cnf file, and restart the server.


4 - Reload the dump file for each database. Because lower_case_table_names
is set, each database and table name will be converted to lowercase as
it is recreated:


mysql < db1.sql


mysql < db2.sql

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#16198, answer score: 6