Selecting a database in mysql with spaces in its name

Question

I want to select my particular database in mysql console, but the problem is that my database name has a space in between and mysql ignores the part after the space. For instance, when i give the command:

use 'student registration'

I get the message:

cannot find database 'student'

Anent

It works for me, no matter if I use ' or `. Difference between versions, maybe? (mine is 5.0 on Windows). – Sorkin

My hats off to the dba who manged this. As if writing good sql in itself was not challenging enough. Sigh! – Latour

Answer 1

You should try using back ticks ("`") to quote your database name. Generally speaking, it's probably better to use a naming convention to eliminate white space, e.g.

USE `StudentRegistration`;

or

USE `student_registration`;

Ritaritardando

Even with spaces, it's better to use these back ticks. Nice answer David. +1 – Durno

Answer 2

You have two options.

1 Enclose the database name in backticks or single quotes.

USE `student registration`;
USE 'student registration';

2 Escape the white space character.

USE student\ registration;

Oddly enough this produces.

ERROR: Unknown command '\ '.

But still changes the database.

Stoush

Answer 3

When I had to deal with other people's tables with spaces the following worked:

use `student registration`;

At least that would be yours.

Sextet

Answer 4

Use Double quotes instead of single, double quotes worked for me :

USE "student registration";

Fabiola

Hi I used all techniques here such as "order details" [order details] and 'order details' but they all didnlt work do you have a clue? – Hurricane

Answer 5

Use student registration without quotes.

Ulund

Answer 6

USE student registration; - This worked for me like a gem... Also tried other alternatives provided here... But nothing worked for me in MySQL;

Faxun

Answer 7

You have to use square brackets to get this work:

Use [student registration]

Oney