Either I've got a problem with my database or with my understanding of outer
joins.

I expect the same number of rows from both of the queries below
when there are no rows on the righthand side of the left outer join
(b_matdet.b_md_worder_ref = b_order.b_o_ref fails)

but the first one returns 1 row - fine and the second returns none.

select * from b_matdet left outer join b_order on b_matdet.b_md_worder_ref =
b_order.b_o_ref
where b_matdet.b_md_ref = 7023

select * from b_matdet left outer join b_order on b_matdet.b_md_worder_ref =
b_order.b_o_ref
inner join b_order_ops on b_order.b_o_ref = b_order_ops.b_o_ref
where b_matdet.b_md_ref = 7023

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