- #1
StaffsLebowski
- 1
- 0
Hi everyone,
I have a problem I'm trying to solve. If anybody can help it would be greatly appreciated. (PS: My understanding of maths is so poor I don't even understand the meaning of half the forum titles so please excuse me if I've posted in the wrong section..!)
All the possible 2 character permutations using 0 to 9 and A to Z = 1296. ie:
00, 01, A1, A2, B1 ~ Z0, Z9, ZZ etc, etc..
There is a system here at work where a User has to enter a 2 character code into a database. Of course, we will eventually run out of codes to use. I am trying to determine if it is possible to continue to use a 2 digit Alpha/Numeric character but extend the 1296 limit in some way?
I'm wondering if a lateral shift in thinking can break the 1296 limit. Hopefully, someone from a mathematical bacground can throw some ideas into the mix?
One thought I had was, can 2 characters be used as variables in a calculation to produce a 3rd number? For example, two digits are combined to produce a 3rd number: ie, 23 could be 2 + 3 or 2 * 3 or 2 ^ 3. MZ could be translated as 13 + 26 (ie: 13th and 26th letter of the alphabet)
Another idea is representation. For example, 3/4 can also be represented as 75 (percent). Is there another way to interpret a set of values?
I understand that the database can be altered to allow more charcaters but for many reasons, this is a very last resort. I also appreciate it was short-sighted of the database designer to only allow 2 characters in the first place, but we are where we are..
Any thoughts greatly appreciated, many thanks,
StaffsLebowski.
I have a problem I'm trying to solve. If anybody can help it would be greatly appreciated. (PS: My understanding of maths is so poor I don't even understand the meaning of half the forum titles so please excuse me if I've posted in the wrong section..!)
All the possible 2 character permutations using 0 to 9 and A to Z = 1296. ie:
00, 01, A1, A2, B1 ~ Z0, Z9, ZZ etc, etc..
There is a system here at work where a User has to enter a 2 character code into a database. Of course, we will eventually run out of codes to use. I am trying to determine if it is possible to continue to use a 2 digit Alpha/Numeric character but extend the 1296 limit in some way?
I'm wondering if a lateral shift in thinking can break the 1296 limit. Hopefully, someone from a mathematical bacground can throw some ideas into the mix?
One thought I had was, can 2 characters be used as variables in a calculation to produce a 3rd number? For example, two digits are combined to produce a 3rd number: ie, 23 could be 2 + 3 or 2 * 3 or 2 ^ 3. MZ could be translated as 13 + 26 (ie: 13th and 26th letter of the alphabet)
Another idea is representation. For example, 3/4 can also be represented as 75 (percent). Is there another way to interpret a set of values?
I understand that the database can be altered to allow more charcaters but for many reasons, this is a very last resort. I also appreciate it was short-sighted of the database designer to only allow 2 characters in the first place, but we are where we are..
Any thoughts greatly appreciated, many thanks,
StaffsLebowski.