util_encode_id: Generate a Unique Identifier for the Database

In nutterb/ldsmls: Extensions of Member and Leader Services

Description

A unique identifier for each member is critical to correctly joining tables in the database. In order to avoid using the the membership number as the identifier, a string is generated consisting of the member's record number, date of birth, unit number, and name. This string is encoded, and then select positions are removed from the encoded string to prevent reconstruction of the membership number and birth date. The remaining characters are encoded again and the resulting string is used as the identifier.

Usage

util_encode_id(x)

Arguments

x	The string to be encoded.

Details

It is still possible that two members could generate the same unique identifier, though it is unlikely. If such an event occurs, please report the error on GitHub.

Author(s)

Benjamin Nutter

nutterb/ldsmls documentation built on May 24, 2019, 10:52 a.m.