VARCHAR field sort like a number 1

[bdichiara]

I have a "price" field in my database and I want it to sort in the same way a number field would. Only problem is i'm storing my values in a VARCHAR field because they are in this format: 2342.00

So by default it sorts it like it's text and doesn't put things in the right order. Any way around this?

_______________
_brian.

 

[bdichiara]

Ok, I figured out the proper way to do this by using the FLOAT field type, rather than the VARCHAR. Then i just use PHP number_format to put my commas in. Thanks!

_______________
_brian.

 

[r937]

caution: FLOAT is only an approximate datatype

for prices, use DECIMAL instead

also, you can use the mysql FORMAT function to automatically insert the commas

r937.com | rudy.ca

 

[bdichiara]

Thanks for the help rudy. I'm using PHP to add my commas but if I need to switch, that tip is very helpful.

_______________
_brian.