A sequence number is a consecutive number in a sequence of numbers, usually of real integers ( natural numbers). Sequence numbers have many practical applications. They can be used, among other things, as part of serial numbers on manufactured parts, in case management, [1] or in databases as a surrogate key for registering and identifying unique entries in a table [2] [3] (in which case it is used as a primary key). [4] [5]
Examples
Historically, the Norwegian Mapping Authority have used sequence numbers for land registration as a placeholder in cases where an organization number or national identity number have not been known. [6]
In elections in Norway, sequence numbers are used in the duplicate check to prevent votes being counted twice or to detect duplicate ballots. [7]
An example of a sequence number being used as a surrogate key is the snr number used by Statistics Norway since 1970, [8] which uniquely identifies a person even if their social security number changes. The snr number will then be linked to both social security numbers, and act as a link that ensures that each person can be identified by a unique key at all times. [8]
Comparison with serial number
A distinction is sometimes made between a sequence number and a serial number. For example, a Swiss locomotive may have the designation " Re 465 003-2", [9] where:
- 465 is the serial number, and stands for 4 drive shafts, 6th version, and 5 for the company BLS
- 003 is the sequence number, and means that it is the third locomotive in this series
- -2 is a check digit
See also
- Bates numbering, document identification system based on sequence numbers
- Opus number
- Timestamp
References
- ^ "Ordbøkene.no - Bokmålsordboka og Nynorskordboka" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Sequences". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ MashaMSFT (2023-04-18). "Sequence Numbers - SQL Server". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ Roeser, Mary Beth. "CREATE SEQUENCE". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "SQL Server: Sequences (Autonumber)". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Navneendring, fisjon og fusjon" (in Norwegian Bokmål). 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Endelig opptelling - Valgmedarbeiderportalen". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ a b Vangen, Torill. "Snr" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Sveitsiske lok- og motorvognbetegnelser, er de kryptiske ? Del 2 – M&E" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-02-26.
A sequence number is a consecutive number in a sequence of numbers, usually of real integers ( natural numbers). Sequence numbers have many practical applications. They can be used, among other things, as part of serial numbers on manufactured parts, in case management, [1] or in databases as a surrogate key for registering and identifying unique entries in a table [2] [3] (in which case it is used as a primary key). [4] [5]
Examples
Historically, the Norwegian Mapping Authority have used sequence numbers for land registration as a placeholder in cases where an organization number or national identity number have not been known. [6]
In elections in Norway, sequence numbers are used in the duplicate check to prevent votes being counted twice or to detect duplicate ballots. [7]
An example of a sequence number being used as a surrogate key is the snr number used by Statistics Norway since 1970, [8] which uniquely identifies a person even if their social security number changes. The snr number will then be linked to both social security numbers, and act as a link that ensures that each person can be identified by a unique key at all times. [8]
Comparison with serial number
A distinction is sometimes made between a sequence number and a serial number. For example, a Swiss locomotive may have the designation " Re 465 003-2", [9] where:
- 465 is the serial number, and stands for 4 drive shafts, 6th version, and 5 for the company BLS
- 003 is the sequence number, and means that it is the third locomotive in this series
- -2 is a check digit
See also
- Bates numbering, document identification system based on sequence numbers
- Opus number
- Timestamp
References
- ^ "Ordbøkene.no - Bokmålsordboka og Nynorskordboka" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Sequences". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ MashaMSFT (2023-04-18). "Sequence Numbers - SQL Server". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ Roeser, Mary Beth. "CREATE SEQUENCE". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "SQL Server: Sequences (Autonumber)". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Navneendring, fisjon og fusjon" (in Norwegian Bokmål). 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Endelig opptelling - Valgmedarbeiderportalen". Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ a b Vangen, Torill. "Snr" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Sveitsiske lok- og motorvognbetegnelser, er de kryptiske ? Del 2 – M&E" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2024-02-26.