RE: Number Generation

Thanks guys for your prompt and helpful responses. To make the problem little clear, system will generate a random # based on an algorithm and not a serial #. Thanks, MA --- Scott Black <sblack@elsouth.com> wrote: > 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 > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com