Random number generator

[jamiefsmith]

Hi all. I'm wanting to sell tickets for an event from a website so upon purchase of the ticket off the site I want them to receive an automated email with a randomly generated code. Is this possible??

Cheers

[jont]

The order number is unique to each order - can you use that?

If the code is random it could feasibly be generated twice.

[jamiefsmith]

Yes but if the order numbers follow consecutlively like actinic01, actinic02 etc, they are then easy to copy. All someone has to do is buy one then see their order number and ld their mates could just add the an 02 or 03 instead if you get me. They really need to be random like cd67wx04 or something

[parklifeclothes]

The order numbers are made up by a combination of Surname/House No./Postcode followed by sequential number so is quite hard to fool I would have thought.

Could you not insist on proof of order (receipt) upon entry

[jamiefsmith]

Ah I didn't realise it generated it's orders like that. I'll have a look and do a few test runs and see what they come out like. The card used for payment is also required at entry but I can get busy at some of our events (6000+) and even though were only doing a small number via our own site, the volume of people through makes it difficult to check everything!!

Thanks all

[parklifeclothes]

I dare say with some knowledge you might be able to have the order number made up from the users I.P address or similar

[NormanRouxel]

I want them to receive an automated email with a randomly generated code

How will you be able to tell that this random number is genuine and not one someone's just made up?

I guess you'll need a list of the numbers issued so you can check. If that's so, then the existing order number does the job.

[parklifeclothes]

The card used for payment is also required at entry

How much detail will the card give you and what do you compare it with?, you may fall foul of the P.C.I regulations if you are keeping downloaded details.

[jamiefsmith]

Yes thanks Norman it looks like the standard order number may do the job asa we'll put all the codes and names and methods of payment into a database so as to quick look stuff up.

As for the card details, we've done it every year with the bigger multi national ticketing companies, normally just a card with the name of the purchaser is ok.

[jamiefsmith]

As far as I'm I aware I believe expiry dates are also ok to be stored, not sure about any other details.

cvv, pin number, strip data and unencrypted cc number I know you can't store. Not sure what else. 8 digit account number?? Not sure on that one

[gabrielcrowe]

here: 6738241

[fergusw]

Damn Gabriel - I was just about to randomly offer: 6738241

[fergusw]

Jamie, there is a post on the forum about editing the Perl script to adjust the order number generated by Actinic. I think it was to remove several of the '000' and to alter the prefix. You could possibly hi-jack this code and embed something else here (e.g. XOR encryption of date) that would help you further validate the order, although I agree with other posts. The order number is for this very purpose. To uniquely identify the order.

[gabrielcrowe]

Dear God,
We, the forum members of Actinic community, have discovered a flaw in the fabric of the universe, specifically, the notion of 'randomness'. We have discovered with absolute certainty, that this is the zone where normal things don't happen very often.

We suggest you start again, and design everything with a degree of uncertainty. Thankyou.

[fergusw]

[addendum]
.... with a degree of uncertainty and a random sprinkling of improbability over the top.