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Sequence number

Sequence number {( aTable )} : Integer

ParameterTypeDescription
aTableTable→Table for which to return the sequence number, or Default table, if omitted
Function resultInteger←Sequence number

Description​

Sequence number returns the next sequence number for aTable. The sequence number is unique for each table. It is a non-repeating number that is incremented(*) for each new record created for the table.

(*) For optimization reasons, the incrementation is started only at the first call of the Sequence number command or of a feature that gets access to the sequence number (see below). In addition, the numbering can be modified using the SET DATABASE PARAMETER command. Consequently, the returned value should not be considered as the count of records created in the aTable.

By default, the numbering starts at 1. You can change the numbering for a table using the SET DATABASE PARAMETER command.

Note: If there is no current record and the numbering has been modified via the SET DATABASE PARAMETER command, this number is in fact reserved for the next record creation but it will only be returned by the Sequence number function when the SAVE RECORD command has actually been called.

The Sequence number function is useful in the following cases:

  • The sequence number needs an increment greater than 1
  • The sequence number is part of a code, for example a part number code.

To store the sequence number by means of a method, create a long integer field in the table and assign the sequence number to the field.

The sequence number returned by this function for the aTable is the same number as the one generated when you check the Autoincrement option for a field of the table using the Structure inspector, or as the one assigned by using the #N symbol as the default value for a field of the table in a form (see the 4D Design Reference manual).

Note: Automatic incrementation can also be set via the SQL AUTO_INCREMENT attribute.

If the sequence number needs to start at a number other than 1, just add the difference to Sequence number. For example, if the sequence number must start at 1000, you would use the following statement to assign the number:

 [Table1]Seq Field :=Sequence number([Table1])+999

Example​

The following example is part of a form method. It tests to see if this is a new record; i.e., if the invoice number is an empty string. If it is a new record, the method assigns an invoice number. The invoice number is formed from two pieces of information: the sequence number, and the operator’s ID, which was entered when the database was opened. The sequence number is formatted as a 5-character string:

  // If this is a new part number, create a new invoice number
 If([Invoices]Invoice No="")
  // The invoice number is a string that ends with the operator’s ID.
    [Invoices]Invoice No:=String(Sequence number;"00000")+[Invoices]OpID
 End if

See also​

About Record Numbers
Record number
Selected record number