title: Correct way to select from two tables in SQL Server with no common field to join on
body: <p>Back in the old days, I used to write select statements like this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT 
  table1.columnA, table2.columnA
  
  FROM
  table1, table2
  
  WHERE
  table1.columnA = 'Some value'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>However I was told that having comma separated table names in the "FROM" clause is not ANSI92 compatible. There should always be a JOIN statement. </p>
  
  <p>This leads to my problem.... I want to do a comparison of data between two tables but there is no common field in both tables with which to create a join. If I use the 'legacy' method of comma separated table names in the FROM clause (see code example), then it works perfectly fine. I feel uncomfortable using this method if it is considered wrong or bad practice.</p>
  
  <p>Anyone know what to do in this situation? </p>
  
  <p><strong>Extra Info:</strong></p>
  
  <p>Table1 contains a list of locations in 'geography' data type
  Table2 contains a different list of 'geography' locations</p>
  
  <p>I am writing select statement to compare the distances between the locations. As far I know you cant do a JOIN on a geography column??</p>