Comparison of Explicit and Implicit Joins

The following table compares explicit and implicit joins

Feature

Explicit Joins

Implicit Joins

Syntax

JOIN keyword

WHERE clause

Join type

Specified explicitly

Inferred from the WHERE clause

Join condition

Specified explicitly

Inferred from the WHERE clause

Performance

Usually faster

Usually slower

Readability

Usually more readable

Usually less readable

Explicit vs Implicit MySQL Joins

MySQL joins are used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column between them. MySQL, a popular relational database management system, offers two main approaches to perform joins: explicit and implicit. In this article, we will explore these two methodologies, understanding their syntax, use cases, and the implications for code readability and performance, when to use, and the Difference between these two approaches.

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Explicit Joins

Explicit joins are explicitly specified in the SQL query using the JOIN keyword followed by the type of join (e.g., INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, etc.) and the condition for joining the tables. Explicit joins provide more control over the join operation and allow you to specify the exact conditions for joining the rows from different tables. Commonly used to combine data from multiple tables based on specific criteria. Clearly define the relationships between tables, making the query logic more transparent. Can be more efficient in some cases, especially when there are complex join conditions....

Implicit Joins

Implicit joins are joins that are specified implicitly in the SQL query using the WHERE clause. The WHERE clause is used to filter the rows in the table based on a condition. If the condition in the WHERE clause involves columns from two or more tables, then an implicit join is performed....

Comparison of Explicit and Implicit Joins

The following table compares explicit and implicit joins...

Conclusion

Explicit joins should be used when you want to have more control over the join operation. For example, you might use an explicit join if you want to specify a specific join type or if you want to use a complex join condition. Implicit joins should be used when you want to keep your SQL queries simple and easy to read. Implicit joins can also be used to improve performance in some cases....