title: String comparison in db2 table
body: <p>New to sql and db2 queries. I have a table that will contain both numbers and alphanumeric values. They column is defined as VARCHAR. I am trying to compare the column with another value (which is more likely numbers only) if they fall within a range. </p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT COL1
  FROM TABLE1
  WHERE COL1 &gt;= RANGE_START AND COL1 &lt;= RANGE_END;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Consider the table contains below values in COL1. </p>
  
  <pre><code>106
  1000003000
  A105
  ABCDD
  
  RANGE_START as 1000000000
  RANGE_END as 3000000000
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When I run the query it also gives 1000003000 and 106 as a satisfying condition. Why would it give 106? Any help in this is greatly appreciated. </p>
  
  <p>Thanks</p>