Find the number of columns in a table

Question

It is possible to find the number of rows in a table:

select count(*) from tablename

Is it possible to find the number of columns in a tabl

Answer 1

Or use the sys.columns

--SQL 2005
SELECT  *
FROM    sys.columns
WHERE   OBJECT_NAME(object_id) = 'spt_values'
-- returns 6 rows = 6 columns

--SQL 2000
SELECT  *
FROM    syscolumns
WHERE   OBJECT_NAME(id) = 'spt_values'
-- returns 6 rows = 6 columns

SELECT  *
FROM    dbo.spt_values
    -- 6 columns indeed