SQL JOIN - Questions

  • All,

    I have some doubts on Join methods. it may be basic questions.I will explain it with a simple example.

    Table A: 1000 Rows

    Table B: 250 Rows

    Key question is :

    which table should come first when we are going to use JOIN ?

    i.e A table which contains less number of rows than any other table used in the same join or A table which contains large number of rows than other table used in the same join.

    My opinion is Large table should come first.But i could be wrong.

    Here, I am going to use all kind of join with different combinations.

    which one is fast ? Why ?

    1) Table A Left Join Table B

    2) Table B Left Join Table A

    3) Table A Right Join Table B

    4) Table B Right Join Table A

    5) Table A Inner Join Table B

    6) Table B Inner Join Table A

    Inputs and suggestions are welcome ! It would be appreciable if anyone explain it with good example.

    karthik

  • Examples 1 and 2 potentially produce two different results.

    Same for 3 and 4.

    Regarding 5 and 6, the result is always the same. So do you want to know if performance wise there is a difference?

  • Yes, I want to know.

    karthik

  • Please don't cross post. It just wastes people's time.

    Already answered-

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic500298-65-1.aspx

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Sorry!

    I have tried to delete it from there,even though i have pressed delete button,But i am unable to delete it.

    karthik

  • [font="Verdana"]

    Table A: 1000 Rows

    Table B: 250 Rows

    Key question is :

    which table should come first when we are going to use JOIN ?

    No matter which type of Join you are using in statement, table with minimum records should always be at Left side.

    Mahesh[/font]

    MH-09-AM-8694

  • Where does this 'golden rule' come from? What does it give you?

    During the life of these two tables this could change.

    What will happen then?

  • Mahesh, I disagree. From what I understand, the query optimizer will determine which table to select from first. I've experimented with changing my join order around, and the query plan is identical. I believe there are ways that one can force a particular order with query hints, but from what I read, they are not recommended.

  • [font="Verdana"]Might be I have posted some wrong information, but once our DBA had asked us to make a habit of it. (It was my mistake then, that I didn't gone further and asked him WHY?)

    I will surely take a look on it.

    Mahesh[/font]

    MH-09-AM-8694

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