CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY simplify complex SQL queries by enabling calculated fields, effectively functioning like correlated sub-queries while maintaining readability.
The CROSS APPLY clause is particularly effective for scenarios requiring ORDER BY statements, allowing extraction of top records from subqueries without sacrificing performance.
Unlike traditional joins which operate on sets, CROSS APPLY processes one record at a time, making it a better option for certain nested query requirements.
Although CROSS APPLY can perform as efficiently as joins, it may face slower performance in specific cases, necessitating consideration of use cases.
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