ouidNew()

The ouidNew() function generates a unique identifier string suitable for use as database keys, session IDs, or any other scenario requiring unique values.

// Generate a unique ID
id = ouidNew()

Syntax

ouidNew()

Parameters

This function doesn't take any parameters.

Return Value

Returns a string containing a cryptographically strong unique identifier.

Description

The ouidNew() function creates unique identifiers by combining several sources of entropy including:

• Current timestamp

• System performance metrics

• User's unique identifier

The result is then hashed using SHA-256 to create a fixed-length unique string that's suitable for:

• Database record identifiers

• Session or authentication tokens

• Unique filenames

• Entity tracking in applications

• Temporary identifiers for objects

Examples

Basic Usage

// Generate a simple unique ID
id = ouidNew()
log id  // Outputs something like "7f83b1657ff1fc53b92dc18148a1d65dfc2d4b1fa3d677284addd200126d9069"

Creating Unique Database Records

// Create a new user record with a unique ID
def createUser(name, email) (
  user = {
    id: ouidNew(),
    name: name,
    email: email,
    created: timestamp()
  }
  
  // Store the user in the database
  users = localDbGet("users") ?? []
  users.push(user)
  localDbSet("users", users)
  
  return user.id
)

Generating Unique Filenames

// Create a unique filename for storing user uploads
def generateUniqueFilename(originalName) (
  // Extract file extension
  extension = originalName.split(".").pop()
  
  // Generate unique name with original extension
  return ouidNew() + "." + extension
)

// Usage
newFilename = generateUniqueFilename("profile.jpg")

Creating Temporary Tokens

// Generate a password reset token that expires
def createPasswordResetToken(userId) (
  token = ouidNew()
  
  // Store the token with expiration time
  localDbSet("reset_token_" + userId, {
    token: token,
    expires: timestamp() + 3600  // Expires in 1 hour
  })
  
  return token
)

Notes

• The generated IDs are cryptographically strong and suitable for most applications

• The function generates a different ID on every call

• The length and format of the ID is consistent across all calls

• For extremely high-volume systems with thousands of IDs per second, consider monitoring for potential collisions

• The function generates strings that are suitable for use in URLs and filenames