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Status Submitted
Workspace IBM i
Categories Db2 for i
Created by Guest
Created on Dec 30, 2024

UUID datatype for IBMi

A UUID is a Universally Unique Identifier, meaning that these identifiers are unique over your whole DB; even better unique" across space and time". UUID's are stored in 128bit format and follow a standarized format (rfc4122) This makes the type a great alternative to the ID as identity column, I would dare say a superior alternative.

The "delivered" idea https://ibm-power-systems.ideas.ibm.com/ideas/IBMI-I-3441 (and all sub ideas) is a very poor implementation that only provides two new-built-in scalar functions but still has following issues like;

  • Can't be defined as default value or generated always (or requires an extra trigger)

  • Requires manually getting the value and providing it to the SQL/native IO statement

  • Last generated value can't be retrieved (so trigger is not really a solution) similar to IDENTITY_VAL_LOCAL()

Please provide a proper implementation of the UUID (as datatype and generated always support).

Idea priority Urgent