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 Algorithm similar as PayPal Transaction ID

Author  Topic 

tejo_pan
Starting Member

10 Posts

Posted - 2005-09-05 : 09:53:55
Hi dears..

I'm creating a software here in Brazil that is similar to PayPal, but I have a problem..

I don't want use the TransactionID as Numeric (1, 2, 3, ..., 3534, 3536, ...) because the user wold able to see and know the number of the transaction, and I don't want use it as UniqueIdentifier too, because is a long string (32 characters) too long to use it without making mistake when typing it.

PayPal uses a little string of identification (only 17 characters) and I think that is generate through a Stored Procedure or a Function when making a transaction.

I have searched for this algorithm but without results..
May you help me, creating an algorithm similar that returns a little and unique string (17 alfa-numeric characters) similar to the UniqueIdentifier?

Thank you very much!

madhivanan
Premature Yak Congratulator

22864 Posts

Posted - 2005-09-05 : 09:59:46
How about using this?

Select left(newid(),17)


Madhivanan

Failing to plan is Planning to fail
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tejo_pan
Starting Member

10 Posts

Posted - 2005-09-05 : 10:04:24
Madhivanan,

I think that if I use this (Select left(newid(),17)), it may repeat, no?

Thank you..
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madhivanan
Premature Yak Congratulator

22864 Posts

Posted - 2005-09-05 : 10:17:29
In your sp, check the existance of that id and insert records accordingly



Madhivanan

Failing to plan is Planning to fail
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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2005-09-05 : 15:53:48
We sometimes have an IDENTITY column and then store, in an additional column, a VALIDATION value calcualted from a RANDOM value seeded on the IDENTITY and also the current Date/Time.

The number we quote to "outsiders" is the IDENTITY plus the "VALIDATION" column - thus they cannot "guess" the number, and it is shorter than a "GUID"

Kristen
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