I have a question regarding the use of the 10-digit Epoch time as a “unique record ID”. We are comtemplating the use of Epoch’s number to be an order number for an application that will have multiple users inputting orders. Since any number of orders might be filed, simultaneously, is it possible that the same 10-digit number might be given to multiple users as a “unique” ID? I have an application that uses a similar technique (using seconds-since-midnight, concatenated to a 5-digit internal date) to “uniquely” identify records in a file (e.g. 14124 represents 09/01/06; 47400 represents 13:10; the ID becomes 1412447400). Because of the speed of today’s processors, that technique can, and does, apply the same set of digits to multiple records. However, the system recognizes this fact and automatically appends an alpha character to subsequent records getting the same 10-digit string. Hence, 1412447400A; 1412447400B, etc.). The application that I use has actually appended the letter “P”, meaning 15 other records received the same 10-digit string; the alpha suffix made the record ID unique. This having been said, will I be able to use UNIX Epoch for unique record ID’s?
Thanks much for your time.
Jim Cronin
207-439-9222 Ext. 277
