[Basic Grammar] SQL LEFT JOIN

The LEFT JOIN returns all records from the left table (table 1). In other words, if there is no match with table 2, the result is 0 records from the right side. 

 

• Syntax

SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table1
LEFT JOIN table2
ON table1.column_name = table2.column_name;

 

Example 

SELECT Brands.BrandName, Orders.OrderID 
FROM Brands 
LEFT JOIN Orders ON Brands.BrandsID = Orders.OrderID 
ORDER BY Brands.BrandName;

 

Exercises 

Write an SQL query to retrieve a list of all employees and their respective departments. Use a LEFT JOIN to include employees who may not yet be assigned to a department.

SELECT Employees.EmployeeName, Department.DepartmentName 
FROM Employees 
LEFT JOIN Departments ON Employees.DepartmentID = Departments.DepartmentID;