Description: The lateral join, or ‘LATERAL JOIN’, is a type of join in SQL that allows a subquery to access columns from tables mentioned earlier in the query. This means that the subquery can use the results from the main table to filter or compute its own results, providing greater flexibility and power in data manipulation. Unlike traditional joins, where tables are combined in a more static manner, the lateral join allows for a more dynamic relationship between tables and subqueries. This feature is particularly useful in situations where calculations or filters need to depend on specific row values from the main table. In various SQL databases, the lateral join is implemented efficiently, making it a valuable tool for developers and data analysts looking to optimize their queries and obtain more accurate and relevant results.
