1064 error in MySQL Command line client when trying to view table but works fine in MySQL Workbench

Question

So i created a database in MySQL Workbench and I am trying to view them on the MySQL Command Line Client because i want to do my queries there instead of the workbench.

Here's whats happening:

mysql> use policestation(crime);
Database changed
mysql> show tables;
+--------------------------------+
| Tables_in_policestation(crime) |
+--------------------------------+
| accused                        |
| case                           |
| complainant                    |
| investigation_officer          |
| outcome                        |
| section_of_law                 |
+--------------------------------+
6 rows in set (0.04 sec)

mysql> select * from case;

ERROR 1064 (42000): You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'case' at line 1

The same query works fine in MySQL Workbech. Also it works for all other tables in Command Line Client.

Answer 1

It's b/c Case is a MySQL reserved keyword: https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.5/en/keywords.html

You'll need to seround reserved keywords with tick marks not quotes. Example:

SELECT * FROM `case`

Not the same as

SELECT * FROM 'case'

Also here is another helpful link: Syntax error due to using a reserved word as a table or column name in MySQL