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

[Dragan Matic <mlists@panforma.co.yu>]

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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