What Is a UUID and When Should You Use One?
Learn what UUIDs are, why developers use them as identifiers, and when generating a UUID can be useful.
What is a UUID?
A UUID is a standardized identifier designed to provide a very low chance of accidental collision when unique identifiers are needed.
Common uses
UUIDs are often used for database records, application objects, request identifiers, files, and other resources that need unique IDs.
Why not use simple numbers everywhere?
Sequential numbers can work well, but distributed systems may need identifiers that can be generated independently without coordinating a single counter.
Generate one when needed
ToolAlto's UUID Generator can create a UUID quickly when you need a fresh identifier for development or general-purpose use.
Store identifiers consistently
When using UUIDs in an application, keep the format consistent and make sure the database field type and application logic are designed for the chosen identifier.
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