Why are MySQL columns case-insensitive?

In MySQL, table names开发者_JAVA技巧 are case-sensitive but column names aren't.

What's the reason for this decision?

Isn't it better to stick to one convention for both?

Yes.

Some storage engines use one or more files for a table, with as filename the tablename.

Certain operating systems (Windows) are case-insensitive for files, and others (unix) are case-sensitive.

Set the lower_case_table_names variable different from 0 to disable case sensitivity, and read more about Identifier case sensitivity here