RE: SQL : Order by for varchar ???

From: Kevin Lange <kgel_at_ppoone.com>
Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2001 12:29:30 -0700
Message-ID: <F001.00320E11.20010607120632@fatcity.com>

How about keeping a hidden field out in the table that has a trigger that, when an insert or update is done, it takes the varchar value, goes thru some magic, and converts it to the decimal equivalent. I mean, what if you have mixed 1' 3 1/4 ". You would have to convert this to 15.25 then store it. THEN do your ordering on this field.

Or, if you do have a function that can look at the value and convert it on the fly, just order by that function acting upon the data field.

Such as Select * from test order by width_converter(width);

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2001 12:56 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L

One of our developers was looking for solution for his problem ..

Any idea folks .. ??

He wants to sort his data asc or desc for a varchar column ..

1> create table test(width varchar2(20));

insert into  test values('5/8"');
insert into  test values('4"');
insert into  test values('3/4"');

insert into test values('2"');
insert into test values('1-1/2"');
insert into test values('1"');

3>
select width from test order by width DESC;

5/8"
3/4"
1"
1-1/2"
2"
4"

Cheers
RK
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Author: Kevin Lange
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