RE: Outer join in SQL server - A very simple question

I think this does what you want:

   select a1, b1, c1, d1
   from t1 left join t2 on t1.a = t2.b

         left join t3 on t2.b = t3.c 
         left join t4 on t1.a2 = t4.d ;

NB--I don't think this is necessarily a mssql question--oracle 9i (at least) supports the same ANSI-92 standard join syntax. See, e.g., http://www.nyoug.org/9ijoin.pdf

The way I remember whether to do a left or a right outer join is I picture an arrow pointing to the table I want 'preserved' (that is, the one I want to see rows from even where there's no corresponding row in the other table).

HTH, -Roy

Roy Pardee
Programmer/Analyst/DBA
SWFPAC Lockheed Martin IT
Extension 8487

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 4:55 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L

Please read "INSERT INTO t4 VALUES ('A', 'DD');" as "INSERT INTO t4 VALUES ('AAAA', 'DD');" in my previous mail.

Regards
Naveen

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Naveen Nahata
> Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 1:20 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L
> Subject: Outer join in SQL server - A very simple question
>
>
> Sorry for the SQL Server post, working on SQL Server for the
> first time, and
> this list is my only resource as of now. I'm reading the SQL
> Server join
> syntax and trying it myself. Meanwhile, If i can get some
> expert help, it
> will be more than useful
>
> I'm simplifying the problem with the help of these test tables.
>
> CREATE TABLE t1(A VARCHAR(10), A1 VARCHAR(10), A2 VARCHAR(10));
> CREATE TABLE t2(B VARCHAR(10), B1 VARCHAR(10));
> CREATE TABLE t3(C VARCHAR(10), C1 VARCHAR(10));
> CREATE TABLE t4(D VARCHAR(10), D1 VARCHAR(10));
>
> INSERT INTO t1 VALUES ('A', 'AA', 'AAAA');
> INSERT INTO t1 VALUES (null, 'AAAA', 'AAAA');
>
> INSERT INTO t2 VALUES ('A', 'BB');
>
> INSERT INTO t3 VALUES ('A', 'CC');
>
> INSERT INTO t4 VALUES ('A', 'DD');
>
> Table t1 refers to t2(through a) and t4(through a2) directly
> and t2 refers to
> t3(through b).
>
> I want to join t1 to t2, t3, t4 and retrieve all the rows inside t1
> irrespective of whether the value is there in the other tables or
> not(outer-join of course)
>
> I wrote this query in Oracle and it works
>
> SQL> SELECT a1, b1, c1, d1
> 2 FROM t1, t2, t3, t4
> 3 WHERE t1.a = t2.b(+)
> 4 AND t2.b = t3.c(+)
> 5 AND t1.a2 = t4.d
> 6 /
>
> A1 B1 C1 D1
> ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
> AA BB CC DD
> AAAA DD
>
> I substituted the "+" with the "*" to use it in SQL Server
> which made my
> query look like this:
>
> SELECT a1, b1, c1, d1
> FROM t1, t2, t3, t4
> WHERE t1.a =* t2.b
> AND t2.b =* t3.c
> AND t1.a2 = t4.d
>
> But it fails with the error:
>
> "The table 't1' is an inner member of an outer-join clause.
> This is not
> allowed if the table also participates in a regular join clause."
>
> How to overcome this? Or is the query wrong?
>
> Regards
> Naveen
>
>
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> Author: Naveen Nahata
> INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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DISCLAIMER:
This message (including attachment if any) is confidential and may be privileged. Before opening attachments please check them for viruses and defects. MindTree Consulting Private Limited (MindTree) will not be responsible for any viruses or defects or any forwarded attachments emanating either from within MindTree or outside. If you have received this message by mistake please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this message from your system. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this message in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Please note that e-mails are susceptible to change and MindTree shall not be liable for any improper, untimely or incomplete transmission.

-- 
Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.net
-- 
Author: Naveen Nahata
  INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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-- 
Author: Pardee, Roy E
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