group by does not sort

An user just posted an interresting question today. Why the Group By is crazy?

I summarize his example

SQL> SELECT NUM FROM (select 400 num from dual union select 310 from dual union select 220000 from dual) group by num,null;
    NUM
-------
    400
 220000
    310


Well, group by is "sorting", but how? this seems crazy. Oracle use the sort algorythm he wants. He can ascending-sort, descending-sort, hash-sort, or any other internal algorythm.

Here, 220000 is before 310 because it is smaller in bytes.

Have a look

SELECT num,dump(num) FROM (select 400 num from dual union select 310 from dual union select 220000 from dual) group by num,null;
       NUM DUMP(NUM)
---------- -------------------------
       400 Typ=2 Len=2: 194,5
    220000 Typ=2 Len=2: 195,23
       310 Typ=2 Len=3: 194,4,11


Well, if you need to sort, use order by and read tom blog