Before finalizing my queries, I use MySQL Workbench to explain it to make sure the performance is good. I always notice that the performance of the queries with joins on multiple tables varies at times. Then I start indexing my tables to make sure that the Explain is happy and scanning minimum records before handing over the data. But with one of my query, even after adding an appropriate index I was not getting the performance I was expecting. I asked Workbench to explain the query and what? MySQL was not using my newly added index which could optimize the query. I tried FORCE INDEX and MySQL liked it. It started using the index which I forced it to. But I was not happy at forcing MySQL to use my index. I wanted it to do it itself. After researching a bit, I came across STRAIGHT_JOIN and without wasting any time, I added it to my query and what? MySQL started using my index without being forced to. Now the question was, how the STRAIGHT_JOIN works and is different from INNER JOIN. Wit