How to Sort MySQL Version Numbers Stored as Varbinary(300) Effectively?

Sorting MySQL Version Numbers Effectively

When dealing with version numbers stored as varbinary(300) in MySQL, obtaining an accurate sorted order can be challenging. The commonly used query, "select version_number from table order by version_number asc," often fails to yield the desired results.

One effective solution to this sorting conundrum is to exploit the INET_ATON function. By using the following query, you can achieve the desired sorted order:

SELECT version_number FROM table ORDER BY INET_ATON(SUBSTRING_INDEX(CONCAT(version_number,'.0.0.0'),'.',4))

This technique leverages the INET_ATON function to convert IP addresses into their numerical form. By concatenating the version number with '.0.0.0' using the CONCAT function, we ensure that each row has at least four parts. The SUBSTRING_INDEX function then extracts the first four parts for the INET_ATON function to work its magic.

It's important to note that this approach utilizes a function rather than the column itself for sorting. Consequently, it may be slower than sorting on an indexed column. For cases where performance is critical, consider using a separate column approach, as suggested by @spanky.

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