MrKevorkian
asked on
unique key generator
Hi i want to generate a unique key.
I want it to be made up of letters and numbers.
I have been looking at RC2 using the following code:
--------------------------
using System.Security.Cryptograp
static void Main(string[] args)
{
RC2 r = RC2.Create();
r.GenerateIV();
r.GenerateKey();
for (short i = 13; i < 200; i += 13)
{
byte[] data = BitConverter.GetBytes(i);
byte[] enc = r.CreateEncryptor().Transf
Console.WriteLine("{0}\t= {1}", 13, Convert.ToBase64String(enc
}
Console.ReadLine();
}
--------------------------
The problem is that this generates a key that contains non alphanumeric characters:
i.e
/MQpLW6J+3o=
--------------------------
so is there anything out there that will generate a unique alphanumeric key (Not a guid) about 10-12 characters. something that will be unique across time.
thanks very much.
I want it to be made up of letters and numbers.
I have been looking at RC2 using the following code:
--------------------------
using System.Security.Cryptograp
static void Main(string[] args)
{
RC2 r = RC2.Create();
r.GenerateIV();
r.GenerateKey();
for (short i = 13; i < 200; i += 13)
{
byte[] data = BitConverter.GetBytes(i);
byte[] enc = r.CreateEncryptor().Transf
Console.WriteLine("{0}\t= {1}", 13, Convert.ToBase64String(enc
}
Console.ReadLine();
}
--------------------------
The problem is that this generates a key that contains non alphanumeric characters:
i.e
/MQpLW6J+3o=
--------------------------
so is there anything out there that will generate a unique alphanumeric key (Not a guid) about 10-12 characters. something that will be unique across time.
thanks very much.
Mike Tomlinson
What's wrong with a GUID?...you could just remove the hypens and use Substring() to get the required number of characters from the left, middle, or right side...
ASKER
if i remove characters - whats the guarentee that it will be unique?
ASKER
i have had a look at RNGCryptoServiceProvider and that seems that it might be useful. But doesnt allow you to introduce a seed to it initially.
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Edit:
To achieve uniqueness, i would just store the numbers in the DB like suggested or use a (counter * key + counter) that will allways reach the desiered target-Number length. (e.g. if you know you need to generate "millions" then dont start the counter at "1" but use 1000000 as start for your counter.
The merging of those numbers could be more complex, depending on your need for this key.... But it will allow a unique number with each counter value, and it can be reproduced which counter was used to generate the key...
To achieve uniqueness, i would just store the numbers in the DB like suggested or use a (counter * key + counter) that will allways reach the desiered target-Number length. (e.g. if you know you need to generate "millions" then dont start the counter at "1" but use 1000000 as start for your counter.
The merging of those numbers could be more complex, depending on your need for this key.... But it will allow a unique number with each counter value, and it can be reproduced which counter was used to generate the key...