>>>A new free table is being added to an application. It will be the child of a previously existing table.
>>>
>>>The parent table unique id is made up of three fields totaling 20 characters. I'm considering adding an auto incrementing integer to the parent table to serve as link to the child table but am afraid what may happen if somehow the id sequence gets out of control and skips ahead to the maximum integer (2^32 - 1), This is a totally critical table in the application.
>>>
>>>In the experience of those here, is this a realistic fear? I would appreciate comments.
>>>
>>>TIA,
>>>
>>>Alex
>>
>>VFP table has a limitation of 2GB or the number of records which is integer max. So, the fear is not that realistic, but you may start with
>>-2^32-1 (e.g. negative value). This way you have even bigger range to fill.
>
>Thanks Naomi. I am not afraid of filling the range but that the value somehow skips ahead enough to create trouble.
>
>Is skipping ahead a realistic fear?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Alex

It may skip values under different circumstances. I don't see what kind of trouble do you mean even if there are gaps in the value.