Transact-SQL shorthand join syntax?

Question

I have noticed a few times when working on legacy code, that you can do left and right outer joins in sql by using the

=*

as kind of short

Answer 1

My personal opinion (after 6+ years in SQL & TSQL) is that this legacy style only makes it harder for other developers not versed in legacy syntax to easily understand your code. I always prefer a more verbose & descriptive syntax if performance is not effected - you never know when your going to have to pass the support of that code on :)