=* operator in sql

Question

I was typing along and fat finger something and when I typed

=*

in the sql window (2008 SSMS connected to a 2005 server) it turned blue as a keyword.

I can not figure out, or google, what this does. I know *= but not =*

What does this operator do?

Answer 1

=* is an old way to write right outer joins. For example:

select  *
from    A
right outer join
        B
on      A.bid = B.id

Is written in the old style like:

select  *
from    A
,       B
where   A.bid =* B.id