[AccessD] Autonumber Assigned Immediately

The real problem is that you can only have one autonumber field in a
record - so by convention "we" all now expect it to be used as a
surrogate key.  I have many, many times needed one or more unique
identifiers (user visble).  Example, in a test management db I need to
automagically number a test scenario and also assign a sequential unique
number to its execution id.  In addition, how many problems could be
solved by a "grouped" or restartable autonumber.
Quite frankly AFAIC autonumber sucks for all uses.

bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of MartyConnelly
Sent: Friday, 9 September 2005 10:11 AM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Autonumber Assigned Immediately

Just use autonumber keys that are GUID's and watch the tears flow.

Charlotte Foust wrote:

>And even if they are sequential, it doesn't mean they're consecutive!
>
>Charlotte Foust
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ken Ismert [mailto:KIsmert at texassystems.com]
>Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 3:55 PM
>To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
>Subject: Re: [AccessD] Autonumber Assigned Immediately
>
>
>
>  
>
>>>IMO, the autonumber field is simply a way to create sequential 
>>>numbering without writing a bunch code to do so.
>>>      
>>>
>
>You can't assume Autonumbers are sequential. You can specify random new

>values for an Autonumber field. Further, for replication, Access will 
>change all Autonumber fields to random, to reduce key collisions.
>
>So, you can only assume that Autonumbers are unique. 
>
>If you change Autonumber modes, knowingly or not, you can be fairly 
>sure your users will freak when they see "-1.07E+09" as the next 
>reference number on a report using an Autonumber field.
>
>-Ken
>  
>

--
Marty Connelly
Victoria, B.C.
Canada



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