Re: How to get next serial value

Rory Reynoldson wrote: > > Quick question about Informix's serial datatypes (I'm used to working > with Oracle sequences). > > In Oracle, I would have a table OTAB (fld1 number) and sequence > OTAB_SEQ and insert as: > insert into OTAB (fld1) values (OTAB_SEQ.nextval);> > In Informix, I would have a table ITAB (fld1 serial) and insert as: > insert into ITAB (fld1) values (0);> > Both give me unique numbers... > > But, in Oracle if I want the unique number before the insert I would > do: > select OTAB_SEQ.nextval from dual;> and the insert becomes > insert into OTAB (fld1) values (:some_var);> > Is there a similar thing to do in Informix? Basically I want the > unique number without inserting and then reselecting to retrieve the > unique number Rory, So ya doesen't wanna insert yet; you only want to know what the next value will be next time you insert. Try the following in dbaccess; you can adapt it to you application. database stores; select tabname, ti.ti_serialv from systables st, sysmaster:systabinfo ti where ti.ti_partnum = st.partnum and st.tabname = "customer"; -- -- Jake (In pursuit of undomesticated aquatic avians) +---------------------------------------------------------------+ |Insofar as manifestations of functional deficiencies are agreed| |by any and all concerned parties to be imperceivable, and are | |so stipulated, it is incumbent upon said heretofore mentioned | |parties to exercise the deferment of otherwise pertinent | |maintenance procedures. | +------------------- A Legal Minded Engineer (hardyharhar.com) -+