Q:  3.20.18  3:57 am "C Db, D#, E, Gb, G#, Bb". the same notes as Db melodic minor but starting on C.
A: if it were me i'd just say whole tone with the D flipped out to Db and D# instead, IF those notes you listed were the exact notes i needed. probably a lot of people would say altered but i just think there is ambiguity surrounding those situations, both in the terminology and in the reality. in places where the 'altered' scale is typically used, in your key, it would be like if you're on a C7("alt")(which could mean anything from b9 to #9 to +5) about to go to Fmin. and i think in reality your strongest notes are going to be Db, Eb, Bb, Ab, E, and then i'd say tied for the next lesser level of priority would be like F and G, and furthermore this entire umrella of chord scenarios (the C7"alt" to Fmin) in general is very friendly to dense chromatic passing tones, so the remaining notes will immediately go onto the table. this has included some of the notes not in your scale, and also i might add that i think Gb is least likely to be a good choice, actually quite frankly i don't think Gb would belong in the 'altered' scale, if we're talking about what really is strongest for most of the situations where 'alt' is written in the chord symbol. as you study a lot of tunes from the same time period, same composer, etc., you may notice them consistantly using a certain type of 'dark' V7 chord (C7 going to Fmin, in our key) and 'alt' may seem like a friendly concept within the context of one particular time period or composer, but as you travel from decade to decade you'll notice that the 'typical' scenarios become slightly different, and yet still pronounced. some calling strongly for the C7b9, or others more strongly calling for #9 and +5. just when you think you have found the archetypical type within a certain time period or sector of music, move just a few steps and you will find it's different and yet also seemingly archetypical. but i would like to repeat something i said earlier which is sure you can absolutely call your series of notes by either of the 2 previous names first mentioned in the original question, they are perfectly justified names. but be ready to clarify what notes you want if the person says 'what'