auto increment problem

[gavin1512]

Good evening All,

 

I have a slight issue with generating an auto increment that adds on the end of two variables. Basically I have an order ID which is made up of a username and date: $order =  $username.date("d-M-Y");

 

But this restricts the users to one order per day, can some one please assist me to have a single digit after the username and date which increases if that order ID exists.

 

Thank You

[GingerRobot]

Is there any particular reason why you're giving your orders and order ID like this? Things would be much simpler if you just used a number.

[gavin1512]

Unfortunately not, the system is due to replace a current basic paper based system and my client would like to keep the format of the order ID

[almystersv]

I agree,

 

Why not change the orderID to numbers???

[PFMaBiSmAd]

If we knew where and how the existing order numbers were stored (database, flat-file database...), it would help.

[GingerRobot]

Tell your client they're a pain

 

Anyways, i'd advise you to keep the bits of information separate in the database, and only join them together to form the order ID when you output the data. So, you'll have 3 columns: username,date,order_today (or whatever you prefer).

 

You can then do something like:

 

<?php
$sql = "SELECT MAX(order_today) FROM tbl WHERE username = '$user' AND `date` = DATE(NOW())";
$result = mysql_query($sql);;
$order_today = mysql_result($sql,0) + 1;
$sql = "INSERT INTO tbl (username,`date`,order_today) VALUES ('$user',DATE(NOW()),$order_today)";
mysql_query($sql);
?>

 

Edit: PFMaBiSmAd  has a valid point. I've assumed you're using a database.