In SQL / MySQL, what is the difference between “ON” and “WHERE” in a join statement?

Question

The following statements give the same result (one is using on, and the other using where):

mysql> select * from gifts INNER JOI         


        

Answer 1

If you're using a JOIN, you need to specify the conditions you are joining on. That list goes in an ON clause. A WHERE clause is used to condition data for anywhere in the query.