sql - why is mysql not returning correct order for varchar of floats? -

i have column version varchar contains double values. when try latest (max) version incorrect results. when min, correct result.

how ordering of varchar columns containing double determined?

here content of table;

    mysql> desc application;     +---------+------------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+     | field   | type             | null | key | default |          |     +---------+------------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+     | id      | int(11) unsigned | no   | pri | null    | auto_increment |     | version | varchar(50)      | yes  |     | null    |                |     +---------+------------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+     2 rows in set (0.01 sec)      mysql> select * application;     +----+---------+     | id | version |     +----+---------+     |  1 | 0.0.0   |     |  2 | 0.0.1   |     |  3 | 0.0.2   |     |  4 | 0.1.0   |     |  5 | 0.1.1   |     |  6 | 0.1.2   |     |  7 | 1.0.0   |     |  8 | 1.0.1   |     |  9 | 1.1.1   |     | 10 | 8.7.3   |     | 11 | 10.29.0 |     +----+---------+     11 rows in set (0.00 sec)      select max(version) application; +--------------+ | max(version) | +--------------+ | 8.7.3        | +--------------+ 1 row in set (0.00 sec)  mysql> select version application     -> order version desc     -> limit 1; +---------+ | version | +---------+ | 8.7.3   | +---------+ 1 row in set (0.00 sec)  mysql> select min(version) application; +--------------+ | min(version) | +--------------+ | 0.0.0        | +--------------+ 1 row in set (0.00 sec) 

forget idea these floats. mysql sees them character strings because that's you've told it.

sorting character order, 8 largest, , 0 minimum, results correct.

if want mysql sort numerical order, give numerical fields. alternatively, right-align , zero-pad subfields - 08.07.03 less 10.29.00