FileMaker Pro Custom Functions

thanks for these notes. i have now included a note indicating this is intended for a single-user environment.

Joshua Beckett, Los Angeles
June 24, 2010 3:12pm

@ Darren: Great suggestion!
@ Bart/Brian: We wrote the function for a run-time app, so it was only expecting a single-user environment, where sorting was a key requirement. While not at the level of a UUID, this function did the trick.

Anton Anderson, Altadena, CA
June 24, 2010 4:12pm

Computer clocks are *not* reliable. They require routine updates to maintain accurate time. If your computer syncs via a time server you may not even realize that your time was automatically adjusted backwards one minute. Records created individually aren't too likely to obtain a duplicate key, but records created via import increase the probability.

When it comes to database integrity, why take the chance? I'd highly recommend that you use Ray Cologon's excellent Base36 uID custom function instead.

http://www.nightwing.com.au/FileMaker/demos9/demo910.html

Dave Graham
Bit Tailor, LLC

Dave Graham, San Diego, CA
June 25, 2010 12:32pm

I'd recommend you to use the uUID instead of this or of the Base36 uID. It can be packed into any file and is very fast in creation - and the probability that you encounter two identical numbers is veeeeery low :-)

http://www.briandunning.com/cf/969

Martin D. Brunner
Zürich

Martin D. Brunner, Zürich
July 01, 2010 2:31pm

Hello, all,

Mr. Brunner and Mr. Graham are right, for there are situations where FileMaker could generate from two up to 'n' records within a single second — it depends mostly on CPU speed and scripting. If you add FileMaker's own Record ID to your CF, then it should generate unique numbers. It's redundant, though: for one could use FM's record id preceded by several zeroes, such as Right ( "00000" & Get ( RecordID ) ; 5 ).
The notion of using date and time data for id-ing a record is quite old, and has to do with the possibility of retrieving such data through a calculation (ergo without the need of specific date and time fields).
I, for one, rely on Ray Cologon's Base 36 uID CF for generating unique IDs.
Check his website, especially the demo section — http://www.nightwing.com.au/FileMaker/demos.html — for he has unique and ingenious ideas and a deep knowledge of FM and CF.
Good luck.

Edward Souza, Victoria
August 15, 2010 12:03am