Outer Joins
An outer join does not require each record in the two joined tables to have a matching record. The joined table retains each record—even if no other matching record exists. Outer joins subdivide further into left outer joins, right outer joins, and full outer joins, depending on which table's rows are retained (left, right, or both).
(In this case left and right refer to the two sides of the JOIN keyword.)
No implicit join-notation for outer joins exists in standard SQL.
Read more about this topic: Join (SQL)
Famous quotes containing the words outer and/or joins:
“When human beings have been fascinated by the contemplation of their own hearts, the more intricate biological pattern of the female has become a model for the artist, the mystic, and the saint. When mankind turns instead to what can be done, altered, built, invented, in the outer world, all natural properties of men, animals, or metals become handicaps to be altered rather than clues to be followed.”
—Margaret Mead (1901–1978)
“The sewing machine joins what the scissors have cut asunder, plus whatever else comes in its path.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)