Get number of fields in mysql table

Question

How can I get number of fields(сolumns) in mysql table with PHP or just some kind of mysql query? Is there a way to do this without SELECT * FROM table_name and mysql_num_fields()? Maybe there is a way with one mysql query?

Answer 1

SELECT COUNT(*) totalColumns
FROM   INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE  table_name = 'table1' AND 
       TABLE_SCHEMA = 'databaseName'

• SQLFiddle Demo