[RESOLVED] (+) in Sql

[Hack]

(+) is not standard SQL

It is not standard T-SQL, but it is standard PL/SQL

If memory serves it is specific to Oracle, and means a Left Outer join or Right Outer join (depending on exactly where it is).

You are correct, and it confused the ever lovin' bejesus out of me when I did my very first project with Oracle as the back end.

It is backwards to what you think you would do for LEFT and RIGHT outer joins.

It is difficult to explain...

When you want to code a Left Outer Join, you put the (+) sign on the table that satisfies the "right" table join condition

When you want to code a Right Outer Join, you put the (+) sign on the table that satisfies the "left" table join condition

To this day, that doesn't make sense to me (althought I understand it (I think)).

Having said that I didn't use it and explicity said "RIGHT OUTER JOIN" or "LEFT OUTER JOIN" in my queries.