When should I use cross apply over inner join?

Question

What is the main purpose of using CROSS APPLY?

I have read (vaguely, through posts on the Internet) that cross apply can be more efficient when selectin

Answer 1

The essence of the APPLY operator is to allow correlation between left and right side of the operator in the FROM clause.

In contrast to JOIN, the correlation between inputs is not allowed.

Speaking about correlation in APPLY operator, I mean on the right hand side we can put:

• a derived table - as a correlated subquery with an alias
• a table valued function - a conceptual view with parameters, where the parameter can refer to the left side

Both can return multiple columns and rows.