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Anthony Harris (tony@ntech.com)
Thu, 16 Jan 1997 11:29:30 -0600 (CST) 

From: Anthony Harris <tony@ntech.com>
Message-Id: <199701161729.LAA01391@reliant.ntech.com>
Subject: Re: [mSQL] Finding an empty "slot"
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 1997 11:29:30 -0600 (CST)

>
> I've got a table that has an element "memberid" which is a char(12). Each
> element memberid has the form "NDF-M-xxxx", where xxxx is a number (0000
> to 9999). Let's say we have these elements;
> NDF-M-0000
> NDF-M-0001
> NDF-M-0003
>
> how can I make my program determin which memberid it should use for new
> members? In the example above, it would use NDF-M-0002 since it's not in
> use.

eek. As far as I know, in msql you are going to have to use a slightly
painful method:

1) Select every row in order 0000 - 9999
2) strncpy the last four characters into a new string
3) atoi that new string.
4) compare it to a "side by side" counter you have running while cycling
   through the rows
5) once you hit a counter number > current row, you have a free slot.

If someone knows of an easier way to do this in msql, please let this
person know, the way I have stated could potentially be painfully slow if
you have to cycle through this every time. . .

-Tony

>
> /Jonas
>
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