Perferred method of joining multiple tables?

N2IT

I like to use this method
select columns (qualified if need or with aliases)
from table1, table2, table3,
where table.column = table2.column
and table2.column = table3.column;

Of course using grouping or order by if required.

I also run them this way to, but I find the first method easier.

select columns (again qualified the columns that are joined)
from table join table2 (I usually run aliases)
on table.column = table2.column
join table3
on table2.column = table3.column;

(Sometimes I will throw in comments to remind me of the query). Other times I will run top 100 if the dataset is huge etc.

I know we have some DBA's in here so I wanted to check and see what you all recommended. I only use SQL for reporting, but it's against different databases DB2, Oracle, and MS so I like to keep it simple, but of course I need the data to be accurate.

One other note, if I need to run a 3 table join, but need the nulls or non matching rows returned I will run a left right or full join. In that case I default to the second syntax. Any expert opinion on how I should proceed to write them?

RobertKaucher

The top method is not ANSI compliant SQL and has serveral issues. Don't use it.

The thing I dislike about it the most is that it confuses the join and filter (where) syntax and that could lead to hard to troubleshoot issues with large queries.

sql server - ANSI vs. non-ANSI SQL JOIN syntax - Stack Overflow