Re: Using an ENUM column in an index

[Rick James]

If ord is always 4 characters, I would not worry about ENUM, simply do CHAR(4) CHARACTER SET ASCII.

Or is the question that the enum has some 'hidden' ordering?? If so, then:

Plan A: Have another table that maps `ord` to the order.

Plan B: Use ORDER BY ..., FIND_IN_SET('0401,ABCD,0403,XYZZ')

In any case, there is no requirement that everything in the ORDER BY be in an INDEX. So, as Peter suggests, leave it off the INDEX. Then focus on getting the ORDER BY to work.