Thread: problem with sorting using 'ORDER BY' when character field is filled with numerical values

If I have a table t with column c which is defined as char(5) and fill
it with following values:

insert into t (c) values ('    1')
insert into t (c) values ('    2')
insert into t (c) values ('    3')
insert into t (c) values ('    4')
insert into t (c) values ('   11')
insert into t (c) values ('   12')
insert into t (c) values ('   14')
insert into t (c) values ('   24')
insert into t (c) values ('   21')
insert into t (c) values ('   31')
insert into t (c) values ('  333')

and then do the following: SELECT C FROM T ORDER BY C
Postgres gives me the following

    1
   11
   12
   14
    2
   21
   24
    3
   31
  333
    4

the same thing done with MS SQL server gives this as a result:

    1
    2
    3
    4
   11
   12
   14
   21
   24
   31
  333

which is the result I find more logical, meaning the user would expect
data sorted this way. Is there some way to make Postgres sort elements
in this way (setting sort order or collation, I suppose)? Tnx in advance

Dragan




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On Thu, May 20, 2004 at 05:18:39PM +0200, Dragan Matic wrote:
> If I have a table t with column c which is defined as char(5) and fill
> it with following values:
[...]

> and then do the following: SELECT C FROM T ORDER BY C
> Postgres gives me the following
>
>     1
>    11
>    12
>    14
>     2
[...]

> the same thing done with MS SQL server gives this as a result:
[...]

> which is the result I find more logical, meaning the user would expect
> data sorted this way. Is there some way to make Postgres sort elements
no, the first is the logical if You sort a char(5) field.

> in this way (setting sort order or collation, I suppose)? Tnx in advance
You should try an "ORDER BY to_number(<your_column>, '99999')"

Greetings,
-tb
--
Thomas Beutin                             tb@laokoon.IN-Berlin.DE
Beam me up, Scotty. There is no intelligent live down in Redmond.