The JOIN operations can be a bit tricky in Microsoft SQL Server. If you are new to SQL Server, you might be trying to understand the different JOIN operations and how they work. You probably have some basic questions you’d like answered.
When I was first starting out with SQL Server JOINS, I would sometimes see a query that used ‘LEFT JOIN‘, and other queries that used a ‘LEFT OUTER JOIN‘. This begs the question:
What’s the difference between LEFT JOIN and LEFT OUTER JOIN?
LEFT JOIN and LEFT OUTER JOIN are the same thing. The word ‘OUTER‘ is optional.
I will usually see the word ‘OUTER‘ omitted, just because it’s less to write! But again, if you want to be explicit, you can include it and your JOIN will work exactly the same!
Next Steps
Leave a comment if you found this micro-tutorial helpful.
Also, you should consider downloading the following FREE Ebook:
FREE Ebook on SQL Server JOIN Operations!
This guide contains all the key points you need to understand about the different JOIN operations in Microsoft SQL Server. It will definitely be a great resource to keep and reference throughout your career as a data professional. Download it today!
I answer this JOIN question and many more in a tutorial dedicated to answering many of the most basic JOIN questions you might have if you are just starting out with SQL Server. Check it out:
What’s the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN? This and other JOIN questions, answered!
If you need a full rundown on the LEFT JOIN specifically (which you now know can also be called a LEFT OUTER JOIN), check out the full beginner-friendly tutorial on the topic:
LEFT JOIN in SQL Server: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
Here is an introduction to JOINs in Microsoft SQL Server in general:
INNER JOIN in SQL Server: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
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