[FX.php List] User exists - offer other names

[Erik Andreas Cayré]

Den 22/08/2007 kl. 11.07 skrev William Downs:

> Hi guys,
>
> I'm looking for something here and have no idea where to start !
>
> I am building a DB where a user can enter themselves - contact data
> and user name.
> I am looking for a way to say "This user name is already taken. Please
> enter another name"
>
> This I can do - what I CANNOT do is offer them a selection of names (5
> possibilities) that also do not exist !
>
> Example entered:
> User name = wills
> Returns:
> This user name is already taken. Please enter another name. Possible
> examples are
> wills100
> wills200
> wills300
> wills101
> wills202
> Or enter an entirely new name.
>
> Of course, none of the above 5 names exist either.
>
> Any ideas ?

Hi William,

This is similar to generating several unique random numbers.

My solution to this problem is not elegant, but it works:

1. create some alternatives (eg. 5) using whichever mechanism you like
2. locate and delete any dupes
3. if you have the requires number of unique objects (in this case  
usernames), you're done, else go to 1.

This is a silly algorithm but it works. It will need to iterate just  
a few times (if you use a flexible mechanism to generate candidate  
usernames).

I would probably first try this as a script in Filemaker, because  
this is where you have the existing usernames to match the candidates  
against.
I would probably use a Text field with global storage to contain the  
candidates. This field would be related to the uername field and you  
could simply check for dupes with Count([relation::username])

Just ask if you need help implementing some of the above;-)

reagards


---
Erik Andreas Cayré
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DK-6705 Esbjerg Ø

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Mobile: +45 40161183

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