Ref: WinXP Pro, FMP 6.0



Just looking for some feed back on Key Fields / Related Records.

Over the years I have developed an extensive "Solution" of 100+ files for
work. Everything from Inventory, Quality Control, Sales Orders, Customer
Master, bla bla bla.

I started out using Reference Numbers as Key Fields (InvoiceNo,
MillOrderNo, ReceiverNo, etc.) to link the records.

After taking lead from Lynn Allen Base62 calculation (Thanks!), I started
changing over to a unique Serial Number I came up with:

Right(Year( Status( CurrentDate)),2) &
If( Month( Status( CurrentDate) ) < 10 , "0" ,"" ) & Month( Status(
CurrentDate) ) &
If( Day( Status( CurrentDate) ) < 10 , "0" ,"" ) & Day( Status(
CurrentDate) ) & "." &
If( Hour( Status( CurrentTime) ) < 10 , "0" , "" ) & Hour( Status(
CurrentTime) ) &
If( Minute( Status( CurrentTime) ) < 10 , "0" , "" ) & Minute( Status(
CurrentTime) ) &
If( Seconds( Status( CurrentTime) ) < 10 , "0" , "" ) & Seconds( Status(
CurrentTime) ) & "." &
Middle(Random,2,4)

Giving me a serial number like 040715.085402.2357.

I know, a little long, but I can decipher it at a quick glance. (Though I
may change over to the Base64 Calculation developed by Lynn soon though,
but haven't decided yet.

Can anyone come up with a good reason to use one over the other system?
Serial number vs Reference Number?

Thanks!

Brent Simon