>>>>>>I am trying to have new records AUTO NUMBER. My method
>>>>>>is to index on a unique number field and add one number and that is the new number for the next record.
>>>>>>Having problems like this...
>>>>>>the first user adds a record and the computer issues a number 3, at the same time the second user adds a record and the computer issues a number 4. Then first user decides to abort and the second user saves.
>>>>>>Now the second user has the number 4 for it's AUTO NUMBER and there is not a number 3 because the first
>>>>>>use did not save. How can I best do a AUTO NUMBER system?
>>>>>
>>>>>The common way to create unique record id (number) is following:
>>>>>1. System contains table 'Setup' with 2 fields: TableName C, Counter I.
>>>>>2. When user requests for new record id, he runs procedure to:
>>>>>- go to Setup and locate record by specific Tablename,
>>>>>- lock this record (RLOCK),
>>>>>- increment counter by 1,
>>>>>- use ne counter for INSERT command,
>>>>>- unlock Setup record.
>>>>
>>>>Also.. I can do all the above, but the first user may abort and the second user may save. What to do there? How about this...
>>>>If first use aborts, then assign second user the first user's AUTO NUMBER?
>>>
>>>Don't worry. This method is 100% reliable. Every other user gets next counter.
>>
>>So what you are saying... is there could me numbers shipped in the
>>counter, but that does not matter because AUTO NUMBERING is not the total
>>of all the records, it's purpose is to give each record a different number and that all?
>
>Yes, that's right.

thanks for the help...