title: MySQL varchar to unsigned of alphanumerical
body: <p>I have a <code>VARCHAR</code> column that holds user IDs.</p>
  
  <p>Example record IDs, <code>1001, 1002, 1003</code>.</p>
  
  <p>I've been using <code>SELECT MAX( CAST(enduser_id AS unsigned)) as enduser_value</code> to retrieve the maximum ID. This works for numerical values but when i have an alphanumerical ID, it fails and only returns <code>0</code>.</p>
  
  <p>Example alphanumerical IDs, <code>AC1001, AC1002, AC1003</code>.</p>
  
  <p>Is there a way i can retrieve the MAX of both ID types using a single query?</p>