Re: Outer Join Bug (was It's Incredible)

Jonathan Leffler has pontificated on the OUTER JOIN situation. From what he has said the INFORMIX implementation of OUTER JOIN presedes SQL-92. To change the INFORMIX product to match SQL-92 would probably mean that all applications implemented before the change would need to be completely retested, as the OUTER JOIN handling would need to be significantly changed. The problem we all face is this:- Do we put pressure on INFORMIX to change OUTER JOIN code to match SQL-92 - and accept the hit on program development that the changed implementation will cause or do we remain with the tried and tested current implementation? Questions like this need to be raised, and we need a public discussion on the benefits or otherwise of the change. Using that discussion the International User Group that some of us are trying to get started can talk knowledgeably to INFORMIX about the problem and the solution. Can I ask that we now move on to the topic of whether we should ask INFORMIX to make such a change, and, if so, how we can go about educating the users to the fact that the change will be made, what effect it will have on their applications, and the proposed timescale for such changes. Malcolm Weallans Online Database Consultancy Phone 0628-72154 Fax 0628-37463 CIX - onlinedbc