Not sure about my unique_ID and key# settings

February 23, 200322 yr

Hi all,

I have some big doubts about my Unique records and key # settings method. Could you point out some weaknesses before I start with this and get fatal errors in the future.

Creation of records and duplication is only scripted.

I have in every files in my database,

1. a auto-entered text Unique_ID (Capt Kurt) for every records

2. n_serial num (prohibit modification checked)

3. Mod Time

5. Creation Date

6. clookup = (Mod Time*0) + serial num

7. several other serial numbers (prohibit modification unchecked) and nextserial# (for grouping records - where serial numbers are set to lookup through selfjoins to its respective next serial number- )

8. Modules serial nums (Invoice#, PO#) set introducing "Inv" or "Po" within the field next value in the Define fields Options.

Some other ID's are set by scripts :

Examples :

In my Operator File where Customer, Supplier, Tax collector and Services are all stored :

Set Field (t_Operator_ID, n_Serianum &Left(t_CategoryOperator; 2) & Left(DatetoText(d_Creationdate);2) & Middle(DatetoText(d_Creationdate); 4; 2) & Right(DatetoText(d_Creationdate); 2)

Where t_CategoryOperator is either "Professional","Individual", "Manufacturer", "Wholesaler" or "Other".

----> 028Pro230203 for a professional operator created on 02/23/03 [color:"red"](French Date) and 029Ind230203 for the next operator that is an Individual

I do also use this method for my ProductFile :

Setfield (t_Product_ID, Left(t_CategoryProduct;3)& n_Serianum &Left(t_Manufacturer; 2) & Left(DatetoText(d_Creationdate);2) & Middle(DatetoText(d_Creationdate); 4; 2) & Right(DatetoText(d_Creationdate); 2 & c_ManufactureProduct_ID)

Where c_ManufactureProduct_ID is a num to text result of the Product_ID given by the Manufacturer (different from my own Product_ID) and t_CategoryProduct (Tile, Marble,...)

--->Til035Atl230203Af2jO for Tile from Manufacturer "Atlas" with Product_ID Af2jO entered today in my Product Db with serial #035.

Along with your kind looking to these settings, could you answer these 2 questions :

- I heard that some of you tend to set (CaptKurt himself) Auto-entered Primary_ID in a scripted setfield. Why use this Set field method rather that a really Auto-enter method, apart from the risk of duplicates (if user can duplicate records)

- When working with Invoices and Line Item, would I use the Invoice N