diff --git a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpEQ.java b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpEQ.java
index 027d4e41cf7..06366e5e892 100644
--- a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpEQ.java
+++ b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpEQ.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2013 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -21,22 +21,19 @@ import org.springframework.expression.spel.ExpressionState;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.support.BooleanTypedValue;
 
 /**
- * Implements equality operator.
+ * Implements the equality operator.
  *
  * @author Andy Clement
  * @since 3.0
  */
 public class OpEQ extends Operator {
 
-
 	public OpEQ(int pos, SpelNodeImpl... operands) {
 		super("==", pos, operands);
 	}
 
-
 	@Override
-	public BooleanTypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state)
-			throws EvaluationException {
+	public BooleanTypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state) throws EvaluationException {
 		Object left = getLeftOperand().getValueInternal(state).getValue();
 		Object right = getRightOperand().getValueInternal(state).getValue();
 		return BooleanTypedValue.forValue(equalityCheck(state, left, right));
diff --git a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpGT.java b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpGT.java
index bf9babd6ee6..2be6eb70900 100644
--- a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpGT.java
+++ b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpGT.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2013 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -24,20 +24,19 @@ import org.springframework.expression.spel.support.BooleanTypedValue;
 import org.springframework.util.NumberUtils;
 
 /**
- * Implements greater-than operator.
+ * Implements the greater-than operator.
  *
  * @author Andy Clement
+ * @author Juergen Hoeller
  * @author Giovanni Dall'Oglio Risso
  * @since 3.0
  */
 public class OpGT extends Operator {
 
-
 	public OpGT(int pos, SpelNodeImpl... operands) {
 		super(">", pos, operands);
 	}
 
-
 	@Override
 	public BooleanTypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state) throws EvaluationException {
 		Object left = getLeftOperand().getValueInternal(state).getValue();
@@ -67,6 +66,12 @@ public class OpGT extends Operator {
 
 			return BooleanTypedValue.forValue(leftNumber.intValue() > rightNumber.intValue());
 		}
+
+		if (left instanceof CharSequence && right instanceof CharSequence) {
+			left = left.toString();
+			right = right.toString();
+		}
+
 		return BooleanTypedValue.forValue(state.getTypeComparator().compare(left, right) > 0);
 	}
 
diff --git a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpLT.java b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpLT.java
index 3e13c99fff9..20a53c07353 100644
--- a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpLT.java
+++ b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpLT.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2013 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -27,20 +27,18 @@ import org.springframework.util.NumberUtils;
  * Implements the less-than operator.
  *
  * @author Andy Clement
+ * @author Juergen Hoeller
  * @author Giovanni Dall'Oglio Risso
  * @since 3.0
  */
 public class OpLT extends Operator {
 
-
 	public OpLT(int pos, SpelNodeImpl... operands) {
 		super("<", pos, operands);
 	}
 
-
 	@Override
-	public BooleanTypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state)
-			throws EvaluationException {
+	public BooleanTypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state) throws EvaluationException {
 		Object left = getLeftOperand().getValueInternal(state).getValue();
 		Object right = getRightOperand().getValueInternal(state).getValue();
 
@@ -68,6 +66,12 @@ public class OpLT extends Operator {
 
 			return BooleanTypedValue.forValue(leftNumber.intValue() < rightNumber.intValue());
 		}
+
+		if (left instanceof CharSequence && right instanceof CharSequence) {
+			left = left.toString();
+			right = right.toString();
+		}
+
 		return BooleanTypedValue.forValue(state.getTypeComparator().compare(left, right) < 0);
 	}
 
diff --git a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpNE.java b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpNE.java
index 70b2ce4b8e4..f4f5e7a773e 100644
--- a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpNE.java
+++ b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/OpNE.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2013 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -28,12 +28,10 @@ import org.springframework.expression.spel.support.BooleanTypedValue;
  */
 public class OpNE extends Operator {
 
-
 	public OpNE(int pos, SpelNodeImpl... operands) {
 		super("!=", pos, operands);
 	}
 
-
 	@Override
 	public BooleanTypedValue getValueInternal(ExpressionState state) throws EvaluationException {
 		Object left = getLeftOperand().getValueInternal(state).getValue();
diff --git a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/Operator.java b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/Operator.java
index 3b1bc01acb1..d797d2115a4 100644
--- a/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/Operator.java
+++ b/spring-expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/ast/Operator.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2013 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -19,15 +19,17 @@ package org.springframework.expression.spel.ast;
 import java.math.BigDecimal;
 
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.ExpressionState;
+import org.springframework.util.ClassUtils;
 import org.springframework.util.NumberUtils;
 import org.springframework.util.ObjectUtils;
 
 /**
- * Common supertype for operators that operate on either one or two operands. In the case
- * of multiply or divide there would be two operands, but for unary plus or minus, there
- * is only one.
+ * Common supertype for operators that operate on either one or two operands.
+ * In the case of multiply or divide there would be two operands, but for
+ * unary plus or minus, there is only one.
  *
  * @author Andy Clement
+ * @author Juergen Hoeller
  * @author Giovanni Dall'Oglio Risso
  * @since 3.0
  */
@@ -70,6 +72,7 @@ public abstract class Operator extends SpelNodeImpl {
 		return sb.toString();
 	}
 
+
 	protected boolean equalityCheck(ExpressionState state, Object left, Object right) {
 		if (left instanceof Number && right instanceof Number) {
 			Number leftNumber = (Number) left;
@@ -96,11 +99,22 @@ public abstract class Operator extends SpelNodeImpl {
 			return (leftNumber.intValue() == rightNumber.intValue());
 		}
 
-		if (left != null && (left instanceof Comparable)) {
-			return (state.getTypeComparator().compare(left, right) == 0);
+		if (left instanceof CharSequence && right instanceof CharSequence) {
+			return left.toString().equals(right.toString());
+		}
+
+		if (ObjectUtils.nullSafeEquals(left, right)) {
+			return true;
+		}
+
+		if (left instanceof Comparable && right instanceof Comparable) {
+			Class<?> ancestor = ClassUtils.determineCommonAncestor(left.getClass(), right.getClass());
+			if (ancestor != null && Comparable.class.isAssignableFrom(ancestor)) {
+				return (state.getTypeComparator().compare(left, right) == 0);
+			}
 		}
 
-		return ObjectUtils.nullSafeEquals(left, right);
+		return false;
 	}
 
 }
diff --git a/spring-expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/OperatorTests.java b/spring-expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/OperatorTests.java
index 0ae86345618..8fa89c4cafb 100644
--- a/spring-expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/OperatorTests.java
+++ b/spring-expression/src/test/java/org/springframework/expression/spel/OperatorTests.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2013 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -16,34 +16,124 @@
 
 package org.springframework.expression.spel;
 
-import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
 import java.math.BigDecimal;
 
 import org.junit.Test;
+
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.ast.Operator;
 import org.springframework.expression.spel.standard.SpelExpression;
 
+import static org.junit.Assert.*;
+
 /**
  * Tests the evaluation of expressions using relational operators.
  *
  * @author Andy Clement
+ * @author Juergen Hoeller
  * @author Giovanni Dall'Oglio Risso
  */
 public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 
 	@Test
-	public void testIntegerLiteral() {
-		evaluate("3", 3, Integer.class);
+	public void testEqual() {
+		evaluate("3 == 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5 == 3", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("6 == 6", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f == 5.0f", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f == 3.0f", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') == new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3 == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') == 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L == new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d == new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d == new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f == 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("10 == '10'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' == 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' == new java.lang.StringBuilder('abc')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' == 'def'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' == null", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$SubComparable() == new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$OtherSubComparable()", true, Boolean.class);
+
+		evaluate("3 eq 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5 eQ 3", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("6 Eq 6", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f eq 5.0f", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f EQ 3.0f", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3 eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') eq 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f eq 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("10 eq '10'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' eq 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' eq new java.lang.StringBuilder('abc')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' eq 'def'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' eq null", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$SubComparable() eq new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$OtherSubComparable()", true, Boolean.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
-	public void testRealLiteral() {
-		evaluate("3.5", 3.5d, Double.class);
+	public void testNotEqual() {
+		evaluate("3 != 5", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5 != 3", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("6 != 6", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f != 5.0f", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f != 3.0f", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') != new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3 != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') != 5", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L != new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d != new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d != new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f != 3.0d", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("10 != '10'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' != 'abc'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' != new java.lang.StringBuilder('abc')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' != 'def'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' != null", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$SubComparable() != new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$OtherSubComparable()", false, Boolean.class);
+
+		evaluate("3 ne 5", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5 nE 3", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("6 Ne 6", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f NE 5.0f", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f ne 3.0f", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3 ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') ne 5", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0f ne 3.0d", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("10 ne '10'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' ne 'abc'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' ne new java.lang.StringBuilder('abc')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' ne 'def'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' ne null", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$SubComparable() ne new org.springframework.expression.spel.OperatorTests$OtherSubComparable()", false, Boolean.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
 	public void testLessThan() {
-
 		evaluate("5 < 5", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3 < 5", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5 < 3", false, Boolean.class);
@@ -51,8 +141,6 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("5L < 3L", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d < 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5.0d < 3.0d", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' < 'def'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'def' < 'abc'",false,Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') < new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') < new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3 < new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
@@ -62,6 +150,9 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3L < new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d < new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d < new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' < 'def'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' < new java.lang.StringBuilder('def')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' < 'abc'", false, Boolean.class);
 
 		evaluate("3 lt 5", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5 lt 3", false, Boolean.class);
@@ -69,8 +160,6 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("5L lt 3L", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d lT 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5.0d Lt 3.0d", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' LT 'def'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'def' lt 'abc'",false,Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') lt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') lt new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3 lt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
@@ -80,6 +169,9 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3L lt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d lt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d lt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' LT 'def'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' lt new java.lang.StringBuilder('def')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' lt 'abc'", false, Boolean.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -93,9 +185,6 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3.0d <= 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5.0d <= 3.0d", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5.0d <= 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' <= 'def'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'def' <= 'abc'",false,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' <= 'abc'",true,Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') <= new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') <= new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') <= new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
@@ -106,6 +195,9 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3L <= new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d <= new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d <= new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' <= 'def'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' <= 'abc'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' <= 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
 
 		evaluate("3 le 5", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5 le 3", false, Boolean.class);
@@ -116,9 +208,6 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3.0d LE 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5.0d lE 3.0d", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5.0d Le 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' Le 'def'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'def' LE 'abc'",false,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' le 'abc'",true,Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') le new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') le new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') le new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
@@ -129,78 +218,50 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3L le new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d le new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d le new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' Le 'def'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' LE 'abc'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' le 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
-	public void testEqual() {
-		evaluate("3 == 5", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5 == 3", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("6 == 6", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f == 5.0f", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f == 3.0f", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' == null", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') == new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3 == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') == 5", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d == new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L == new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d == new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d == new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
-
-		evaluate("3 eq 5", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5 eQ 3", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("6 Eq 6", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f eq 5.0f", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f EQ 3.0f", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' EQ null", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3 eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') eq 5", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d eq new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d eq new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
-	}
-
-	@Test
-	public void testNotEqual() {
-		evaluate("3 != 5", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5 != 3", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("6 != 6", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f != 5.0f", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f != 3.0f", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') != new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3 != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') != 5", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d != new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L != new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d != new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d != new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
-
-		evaluate("3 ne 5", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5 nE 3", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("6 Ne 6", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f NE 5.0f", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0f ne 3.0f", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3 ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') ne 5", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d ne new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d ne new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+	public void testGreaterThan() {
+		evaluate("3 > 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5 > 3", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L > 5L", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5L > 3L", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d > 5.0d", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5.0d > 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') > new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3 > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') > 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L > new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d > new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d > new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' > 'def'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' > new java.lang.StringBuilder('def')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' > 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
+
+		evaluate("3 gt 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5 gt 3", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L gt 5L", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5L gt 3L", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d gt 5.0d", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5.0d gT 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3 gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') gt 5", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3L gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' Gt 'def'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' gt new java.lang.StringBuilder('def')", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' GT 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -213,10 +274,7 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("5L >= 5L", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d >= 5.0d", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5.0d >= 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5.0d <= 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' >= 'def'",false,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'def' >= 'abc'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' >= 'abc'",true,Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5.0d >= 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') >= new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') >= new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') >= new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
@@ -227,11 +285,19 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3L >= new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d >= new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d >= new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' >= 'def'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' >= 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' >= 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
 
 		evaluate("3 GE 5", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("5 gE 3", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("6 Ge 6", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3L ge 5L", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5L ge 3L", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5L ge 5L", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("3.0d ge 5.0d", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5.0d ge 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("5.0d ge 5.0d", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') ge new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", true, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') ge new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') ge new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
@@ -242,41 +308,19 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3L ge new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d ge new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
 		evaluate("3.0d ge new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' ge 'def'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'def' ge 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' ge 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
-	public void testGreaterThan() {
-		evaluate("3 > 5", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5 > 3", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L > 5L", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5L > 3L", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d > 5.0d", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5.0d > 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' > 'def'",false,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'def' > 'abc'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') > new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3 > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') > 5", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d > new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L > new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d > new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d > new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+	public void testIntegerLiteral() {
+		evaluate("3", 3, Integer.class);
+	}
 
-		evaluate("3.0d gt 5.0d", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("5.0d gT 3.0d", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' Gt 'def'",false,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'def' GT 'abc'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('5') gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3')", true, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3 gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("new java.math.BigDecimal('3') gt 5", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d gt new java.math.BigDecimal('5')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3L gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.1')", false, Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("3.0d gt new java.math.BigDecimal('3.0')", false, Boolean.class);
+	@Test
+	public void testRealLiteral() {
+		evaluate("3.5", 3.5d, Double.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -527,10 +571,10 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 
 	@Test
 	public void testStrings() {
-		evaluate("'abc' == 'abc'",true,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' == 'def'",false,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' != 'abc'",false,Boolean.class);
-		evaluate("'abc' != 'def'",true,Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' == 'abc'", true, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' == 'def'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' != 'abc'", false, Boolean.class);
+		evaluate("'abc' != 'def'", true, Boolean.class);
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -544,25 +588,41 @@ public class OperatorTests extends AbstractExpressionTests {
 		evaluate("3L - 50L", -47L, Long.class);
 	}
 
-	// ---
 
-	private Operator getOperatorNode(SpelExpression e) {
-		SpelNode node = e.getAST();
-		return (Operator)findNode(node,Operator.class);
+	private Operator getOperatorNode(SpelExpression expr) {
+		SpelNode node = expr.getAST();
+		return findOperator(node);
 	}
 
-	private SpelNode findNode(SpelNode node, Class<Operator> clazz) {
-		if (clazz.isAssignableFrom(node.getClass())) {
-			return node;
+	private Operator findOperator(SpelNode node) {
+		if (node instanceof Operator) {
+			return (Operator) node;
 		}
 		int childCount = node.getChildCount();
-		for (int i=0;i<childCount;i++) {
-			SpelNode possible = findNode(node.getChild(i),clazz);
-			if (possible!=null) {
+		for (int i = 0; i < childCount; i++) {
+			Operator possible = findOperator(node.getChild(i));
+			if (possible != null) {
 				return possible;
 			}
 		}
 		return null;
 	}
 
+
+	public static class BaseComparable implements Comparable<BaseComparable> {
+
+		@Override
+		public int compareTo(BaseComparable other) {
+			return 0;
+		}
+	}
+
+
+	public static class SubComparable extends BaseComparable {
+	}
+
+
+	public static class OtherSubComparable extends BaseComparable {
+	}
+
 }