I get the error SQL: Column 'CAR_ID' is not found, when I run the following code:

Select * From nonconf ; 
    LEFT OUTER JOIN car_misc;
    LEFT OUTER JOIN car_extension ;
    ON  Nonconf.car_id = Car_extension.car_id ;
    ON  Nonconf.car_id = Car_misc.car_id ;
  into cursor car_temp

The query opens the three tables (nonconf, car_misc, car_extension) and then has the error. Of course if I open the 3 tables first and the run the query everything works as in,

use nonconf in 0
use car_misc in 0
use car_extension in 0
Select * From nonconf ; 
    LEFT OUTER JOIN car_misc;
    LEFT OUTER JOIN car_extension ;
    ON  Nonconf.car_id = Car_extension.car_id ;
    ON  Nonconf.car_id = Car_misc.car_id ;
  into cursor car_temp

I have changed my code to be like the 2nd example -- I was just wondering why this is necessary.

Thanks,

Kevin