adding a prefix to a auto_increment

Anon

Hi there,

I have a MySQL DB with a auto_increment column (id) which I would like to add a letter in front of manually when I create the record, so that it will automatically add the next number in the sequence after my selected letter.

Thanks,

Hereward

Anon

Can't be done. The auto_increment constraint on a column says "if this is inserted NULL then get the next number and insert that". Besides that auto_increment is only valid on integer based fields, and a character isn't an integer.

However, you can do this by using a second column as your character and make a multi-column primary key using this and your auto_increment field. It's all explained here: http://www.mysql.com/doc/e/x/example-AUTO_INCREMENT.html

toma42

Rob's right but you're making a huge mistake by trying to make an autogenerated number mean something. You need to rethink your strategy before it's too late.

One way to do this would be to use a column in a sequences table which will have the last used number. To get a new number lock the table, select the field, update/increment it, then unlock the table.