drupal equivalent

gistfile1.aw

SELECT COUNT(*) 
FROM table_1 
JOIN table_2 ON (table_1.id=table_2.table_1_id) 
WHERE table_1.column != 'foo'

<?php

//query_builder
$q = new query($db);
$q->column('COUNT(*)')
        ->table('table_1')
        ->join('table_2', 'table_1.id=table_2.table_1_id')
        //query::NOT_EQUAL === '!='
        ->where('table_1.column', 'foo', query::NOT_EQUAL);

//drupal 7 version
//why is this so complicated and somewhat inconsistent?
//set the initial table
$query = db_select('table_1', 't1');
//returns the table alias (t2 in this case) ?
//breaking the chain
$query->innerJoin('table_2', 't2', 't1.id=t2.table_1_id');
//continue building the query (this part is chainable again)
$query->fields('', 'COUNT(*)')
  ->condition('table_1.column', "foo", '!=');