SQL Filter criteria in join criteria or where clause which is more efficient

Question

I have a relatively simple query joining two tables. The \"Where\" criteria can be expressed either in the join criteria or as a where clause. I\'m wondering which is more

Answer 1

You can run the execution plan estimator and sql profiler to see how they stack up against each other.

However, they are semantically the same underneath the hood according to this SQL Server MVP:

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/conversation.aspx?messageid=29145383&threadid=29145379