Nextval Question

Hello Ora*Folks,

	I'm using Oracle's sequences to ensure uniqueness for key
	values in a table.  In essence, I'd like the sequence to
	work like tickets at a deli counter.  I'd like my Pro*C
	program to ask Oracle what the next sequence value is, pass
	it off to a user, and be sure that no two IDs will come back
	identical.  

	My question is, the only way I can get the sequence's current
	or next value is by issuing a query which includes the pseudo-
	column name in it.  i.e. (SQL*Plus example) :

	SQL> select ticket.nextval from deli;

	   CURRVAL
	   ----------
		    9

	This is fine as long as the "from" clause evaluates to a single
	row.  Otherwise, it'll increment away, and return to my program
	only the last value (in essence "skipping" a bunch of otherwise
	allocatable numbers at the deli counter).  Using currval above
	and incrementing it manually might seem OK on the surface, but
	concurrent accessors might both get the same currval, so callers
	should be asking for nextval...

	Do I have to create a special "one row" table and use that as the
	basis for the select?  Are there other ways to access the pseudo-
	columns?


	This may seem trivial (and I hope it is) but I can't seem to
	figure out the best way to proceed.  Oops, one more disclaimer:
	Please note that I'm *not* a student, and this example has been
	sanitized for your convenience.

	Thanks for any responses, and I'll summarize to the group.

	Carmen

	(carmen_at_pni.sra.com)

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Carmen Iannacone				(703) 803-1544
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