```
create table t(n float);
insert into t values(-574.41),(500.00);
select printf('%8.2f',n) as n
from t
order by n desc;
```
gives
```
+----------+
| n |
+----------+
| -574.41 |
| 500.00 |
+----------+
```
which indicates n is treated as string (the result of printf) instead of float (the column's affinity).
So, the question is:
Should `ORDER BY` see the alias of the printf that masks the original column name on the `SELECT` part, or the actual column name which would produce the correct result as indicated by changing the alias?
```
select printf('%8.2f',n) as nn
from t
order by n desc;
```
gives
```
+----------+
| nn |
+----------+
| 500.00 |
| -574.41 |
+----------+
```
BTW, using a cast over printf to convert to float for `ORDER BY`'s sake ruins the formatting so it's no-go.