SQL Server - lack of NATURAL JOIN / x JOIN y USING(field)

Question

I\'ve just been reading up on NATURAL JOIN / USING - SQL92 features which are (sadly?) missing from SQL Server\'s current repertoire.

Has anyone come from a DBMS tha

Answer 1

I don't see the value of the USING or NATURAL syntax - as you've encountered, only ON is consistently implemented so it's best from a portability standpoint.

Being explicit is also better for maintenance, besides that the alternatives can be too limited to deal with situations. I'd also prefer my codebase be consistent.