RE: How to generate account number?

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Subject	RE: How to generate account number?
Date	Sat, 3 Nov 2012 11:42:38 +0300
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Steven, see below, please.

----------------------------------------
> From: steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info
> Subject: Re: How to generate account number?
> Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2012 22:39:31 +0000
> To: python-list@python.org
>
> On Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:13:19 +0300, Andriy Kornatskyy wrote:
>
>> Requirements for `account number` generator:
>>
>> 1. Issue pseudo random consistent number (must be unique for dozen
>> millions of records)
>
> How much randomness do you need? From the perspective of any one user, a
> simple incrementing counter returns arbitrary values, which may be "close
> enough" to random.
>
> last_num = 103872 # Pick an arbitrary starting value.
> def get_account_number():
> """Return the next account number."""
> global last_num
> last_num += 1
> return last_num
>
> Stick that value in a database instead of a global, and you're done.
>
> What are the consequences of people guessing account numbers? If the
> consequences are serious, then you need to make account numbers
> cryptographically strong. If the account number alone is not important,
> then you don't.

Yes. There are consequences to not use sequential numbers, yet humans deal with it (enter as input somewhere, etc). The approach suggested here:

http://mindref.blogspot.com/2012/11/generate-account-number.html

is using Feistel cipher to generate pseudo random thus makes guessing account numbers hard (impossible?).

>> 2. Easy check validity (without a need to make a database call)
>
> Add a check digit to the number you generate. There are all sorts of ways
> to do that. Here are two examples:
>
> http://code.activestate.com/recipes/577692
> http://code.activestate.com/recipes/577691

These tell me how to verify some code, but doesn't how to generate it. The approach suggested here:

http://mindref.blogspot.com/2012/11/generate-account-number.html

gives you ability to customize `sample_f` function to make it unique to your business case.

>> Interested? Read more here:
>
> If you ask a question here, please keep the discussion here, don't split
> it to your personal blog.

The question was rhetorical with my answer in the blog and discussion here to reach something.

> Tell us your requirements in more detail, and we will try to help you.

I have presented solution to `account number` challenge. So it was share with community and seek for thoughts if any.

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Thread

How to generate account number? Andriy Kornatskyy <andriy.kornatskyy@live.com> - 2012-11-03 00:13 +0300
  Re: How to generate account number? GangGreene <GangGreene@example.com> - 2012-11-02 18:02 -0400
    RE: How to generate account number? Andriy Kornatskyy <andriy.kornatskyy@live.com> - 2012-11-03 11:38 +0300
      Re: How to generate account number? Roy Smith <roy@panix.com> - 2012-11-03 09:22 -0400
        Re: How to generate account number? Tim Chase <python.list@tim.thechases.com> - 2012-11-03 10:34 -0500
        RE: How to generate account number? Andriy Kornatskyy <andriy.kornatskyy@live.com> - 2012-11-03 19:18 +0300
        RE: How to generate account number? Andriy Kornatskyy <andriy.kornatskyy@live.com> - 2012-11-03 19:23 +0300
  Re: How to generate account number? Steven D'Aprano <steve+comp.lang.python@pearwood.info> - 2012-11-02 22:39 +0000
    RE: How to generate account number? Andriy Kornatskyy <andriy.kornatskyy@live.com> - 2012-11-03 11:42 +0300

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