Thread: load data infile: columns or fields?

Looking at the MySQL manual, I can't find any clarification on the uses of COLUMNS vs. FIELDS when using LOAD DATA INFILE. I _vaguely_ remember reading something at one point that one would specify that, if a field doesn't exist, to create it...

Could someone tell me if there is a situation where you would use one over the other or are COLUMNS and FIELDS exactly the same?

The academic term is COLUMNS, which applies to tables and to queries. Most database users are more familiar with the term FIELDS in tables, which are exactly synonymous, as far as I know. The syntax of Data Definition SQL (to create or modify tables) is COLUMN.