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Distributed sequence number generation?

Asked 2010-04-20T00:52:50.797
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I've generally implemented sequence number generation using database sequences in the past.

e.g. Using Postgres SERIAL type http://www.neilconway.org/docs/sequences/

I'm curious though as how to generate sequence numbers for large distributed systems where there is no database. Does anybody have any experience or suggestions of a best practice for achieving sequence number generation in a thread safe manner for multiple clients?

java apache-zookeeper sequences
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If it really has to be globally sequential, and not simply unique, then I would consider creating a single, simple service for dispensing these numbers.

Distributed systems rely on lots of little services interacting, and for this simple kind of task, do you really need or would you really benefit from some other complex, distributed solution?

answered 2010-04-20T01:22:35.393

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