1. A method of optimizing an SQL query in a computer having a memory, the SQL query being performed by the computer to retrieve data from a relational database stored in an electronic storage device coupled to the computer, and the SQL query including a join operation for an outer table and an inner table in the relational database, the method comprising the steps of: (a) examining the query in the memory of the computer to determine whether the query includes a requirement for distinctiveness in one or more result columns of the join operation; (b) examining the query in the memory of the computer to determine whether one or more columns of the inner table are referenced in the query after the join operation is performed by the computer and whether each referenced column of the inner table is bound and is not involved in any length-sensitive expressions yet to be evaluated; and (c) performing, in the memory of the computer, an early-out join operation in place of the join operation when the query includes the requirement for distinctiveness and the referenced columns of the inner table are bound and are not involved in any length-sensitive expressions yet to be evaluated, further comprising the steps of scanning the inner table for a match for each row of the outer table and terminating the scanning step when the match is found.
1. A method of optimizing an SQL query in a computer having a memory, the SQL query being performed by the computer to retrieve data from a relational database stored in an electronic storage device coupled to the computer, and the SQL query including a join operation for an outer table and an inner table in the relational database, the method comprising the steps of: (a) examining the query in the memory of the computer to determine whether the query includes a requirement for distinctiveness in one or more result columns of the join operation; (b) examining the query in the memory of the computer to determine whether one or more columns of the inner table are referenced in the query after the join operation is performed by the computer and whether each referenced column of the inner table is bound and is not involved in any length-sensitive expressions yet to be evaluated; and (c) performing, in the memory of the computer, an early-out join operation in place of the join operation when the query includes the requirement for distinctiveness and the referenced columns of the inner table are bound and are not involved in any length-sensitive expressions yet to be evaluated, further comprising the steps of scanning the inner table for a match for each row of the outer table and terminating the scanning step when the match is found. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the referenced column of the inner table is bound to a column of the outer table.