Re: Unique ID's question

Jesse <keller_at_minerva.cis.yale.edu> wrote:

>Sorry for asking a typical novice question, but...
 

>Does Oracle7 provide a good way to generate sequential unique ID's, so
>that each new record gets a unique number for its ID field? If the
>solution requires pl/sql, can it be invoke via oraperl?
 

>Thanks for helping a beginner--
 

>Jesse

You already have a post that most likely directly answers your question. So let me try to convince you not to do this.

Generating an arbitrary unique identifier should be avoided as it will: 1) create a data redundancy that must be managed, 2) hide meaning, 3) increase dependency on programming solutions or 4) cause the system to be less usfull and perhaps less trusted.

That said, what you could do is look for a 'naturaly occuring unique identifier'. If you are really pressed to the wall, and can't think of one, a derivitive of the 'What, Where, When' identifier usually works as the physical universe is constructed such that no two objects can occupy the same space at the same time.

If your company has a Data Analyst, they can help you find a naturally occuring unique identifier. If you have no Data Analysts, or are politically unable to employ them on your project, you can ask your self these questions:

When I talk to someone about what one of the rows represent, how do I refer to it? (note: conversation usually has a context. the context would have to be represented in the database as well. for example: if I say 'My co-worker, Joe' the context is my department and my company [and even perhaps my country, if the scope of your database is large enough])

If I were going to talk to someone who had never seen one, how would I describe the real-world object (or event) that the row in the table represents?

Is there a standard established by which these real-world objects (or events) are identified?

However, the most important question to ask yourself when considering arbitrary unique identifiers is: Am I trying to apply a favored solution to the problem at hand, or am I trying to solve a business problem with the only available solution?

'Keystroke'
KeystrkTX_at_AOL.COM Received on Mon Apr 22 1996 - 00:00:00 CEST