RE: Number Generation

Like 'a_blond' said, I'm not sure what you mean by 'simplify the situation'. But here goes: If you create a unique index on your table, then rather than checking if the value is already there, you can attempt an insert. If you trap the error, it will tell you if the value already exists. Something like [pseudo code]: let stat = 1 while stat != 0 let results = algorithm() whenever error continue insert into table values (results) let stat = status whenever error stop end while Is this any simpler? HTH -----Original Message----- From: MA [mailto:hmd_mbshr@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 1:09 PM Posted To: informix Conversation: Number Generation Subject: Number Generation Hi All: I'm generating a number using an **algorithm**. I want to make sure after generating every number, it should not be a previously generated number. If I generate a number and look it up in the database and come to know that it's already generated then I've to go thru the generation cycle until I find a number which is not previously generated. Is there any way to simplify the situation. Any help in this regard is greatly appreciated. Thanks, MA __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com