I read an article about using keywords apply & join. See Some SQL, where one example uses an internal join and the other uses a keyword.
Here is the pic table

SELECT E.EMPID, E.NAME, E.DEPTID, D.NAME
FROM EMPLOYEE E
INNER JOIN DEPARTMENT D ON E.DEPTID = D.DEPTID
SELECT E.EMPID, E.NAME, E.DEPTID, CA.NAME
FROM EMPLOYEE E
CROSS APPLY
(SELECT * FROM DEPARTMENT D WHERE D.DEPTID = E.DEPTID) CA
Both queries return the same output and the same execution plan. Here is a photo


Use the external application again and the left external connection
SELECT E.EMPID, E.NAME, E.DEPTID, D.NAME
FROM EMPLOYEE E
LEFT JOIN DEPARTMENT D ON E.DEPTID = D.DEPTID
SELECT E.EMPID, E.NAME, E.DEPTID, OA.NAME
FROM EMPLOYEE E
OUTER APPLY
(SELECT * FROM DEPARTMENT D WHERE D.DEPTID = E.DEPTID) OA
Now again, both requests produce the same output and the same execution plan. Therefore, I just do not understand in what situation should I use OUTER APPLYor CROSS APPLYinstead of an internal connection or an external external connection?
therefore, if possible, the same scenario will come where you should use OUTER APPLY or CROSS APPLYthanks