Description: The LATERAL keyword allows a subquery in the FROM clause to reference columns from preceding tables. This means that when using LATERAL, you can access data from a row of the main table within a subquery, providing greater flexibility and power in SQL queries. This feature is particularly useful in situations where operations depend on the values of the current row of the main table. LATERAL can be used in conjunction with table functions and common table expressions, allowing for the creation of more complex and efficient queries. In terms of performance, using LATERAL can optimize the execution of certain queries by reducing the need for additional joins, as it allows subqueries to be evaluated in the context of each row of the main table. This cross-referencing capability between tables and subqueries is a significant advancement in how SQL queries can be structured, facilitating the retrieval of more accurate and relevant results.
