Tech moves fast! Stay ahead of the curve with Techopedia!
Join nearly 200,000 subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.
An outer join in SQL is a specific kind of query construction that deliberately allows for a wider array of results. The process of building specific queries in SQL to get database results is a highly technical one, and an outer join is an example of a type of detail learned and utilized by database researchers.
Someone who is writing a query can use a left or right outer join to include table results that only have a given component, rather than requiring multiple components to be present. A left outer join includes all rows in a table regardless of whether a specifically positioned column has results or not. By contrast, an inner join requires both components to be present.
Because outer joins provide for more diversity, they are often useful in searches that are less rigid and do not require strict adherence to the principle of having consistent data from multiple search components.
Do you work in the tech industry? Help us learn more about why the gender gap still exists in tech by taking this quick survey! Survey respondents will also be entered to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
Join nearly 200,000 subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.