---
description: >-
  This feature enables developers to select the underlying algorithm for
  generating unique identifiers and to configure distributed settings such as
  NodeId, DatacenterId, ShardId, Namespace, Epoch, etc.
---

# ID Generation Strategy and Distribution Settings

## Overview

ID Generation Strategy and Distribution Settings allow developers to choose between multiple ID generation algorithms—including distributed (Snowflake-like), CryptoRandom, UuidV1, and Ulid—and configure distribution parameters for systems requiring high-volume, globally unique ID generation. These settings help ensure that IDs are generated reliably in distributed environments, making it easier to scale across multiple nodes, datacenters, and shards.

***

### Key Points

<table><thead><tr><th width="155">Aspect</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Strategy</td><td>Selects the algorithm used for generating IDs. Options include Distributed, CryptoRandom, UuidV1, and Ulid.</td></tr><tr><td>NodeId</td><td>Sets the Node ID for distributed generation, which must be within the range of 0 to 1023.</td></tr><tr><td>DatacenterId</td><td>Configures the Datacenter ID, also within a range of 0 to 1023, to further partition the distributed ID space.</td></tr><tr><td>ShardId</td><td>Provides an additional partitioning option for distributed generation; the Shard ID is also within the allowed range.</td></tr><tr><td>Namespace</td><td>Associates a string namespace with the generated IDs, which can help differentiate IDs across various domains or applications.</td></tr><tr><td>Epoch</td><td>Defines the starting point for timestamp generation, enabling customization of the temporal basis used in the distributed algorithm.</td></tr><tr><td>BatchSize</td><td>Specifies the number of IDs to generate in a batch operation, improving performance when multiple IDs are required at once.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Best Practices

<table><thead><tr><th width="270">Practice Area</th><th>Recommendation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Choosing a Strategy</td><td>Select the Distributed strategy for high-volume and globally unique IDs; choose CryptoRandom, UuidV1, or Ulid for alternative needs based on randomness or timestamp requirements.</td></tr><tr><td>Setting Node and Datacenter</td><td>Always validate that NodeId and DatacenterId are within the valid range (0–1023) to prevent runtime errors during ID generation.</td></tr><tr><td>Using Shard and Namespace</td><td>Use ShardId and Namespace properties to further isolate and organize IDs in distributed systems; these can be especially useful when integrating with multiple services.</td></tr><tr><td>Configuring Epoch</td><td>Customize Epoch only if there is a need to redefine the starting point for time-based components; otherwise, the default epoch is sufficient.</td></tr><tr><td>Managing Batch Operations</td><td>Use BatchSize to optimize performance when generating many IDs at once, particularly in systems where high throughput is required.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Common Pitfalls

| Issue                        | Explanation                                                                                                                                 | Recommendation                                                                                                         |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Invalid Range Values         | Setting NodeId, DatacenterId, or ShardId outside the allowed range (0–1023) can cause exceptions or incorrect ID generation.                | Always validate the input range before assignment.                                                                     |
| Incorrect Strategy Selection | Choosing an inappropriate ID generation strategy may result in IDs that do not meet the system’s requirements for uniqueness or randomness. | Analyze system requirements and select the strategy that best aligns with performance, security, and uniqueness needs. |
| Misconfigured Epoch          | Changing the Epoch without proper understanding may lead to IDs that cannot be correctly parsed or that conflict with existing IDs.         | Use a custom Epoch only when necessary and document the change for consistency across the system.                      |
| Overlooking Namespace Impact | Not setting a Namespace when operating in a distributed environment might lead to ID collisions across different applications or domains.   | Assign a meaningful Namespace to further isolate and differentiate generated IDs across different systems.             |

***

### Usage Scenarios

<table><thead><tr><th width="209">Scenario</th><th>Description</th><th>Example Integration</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Distributed Systems</td><td>Generating IDs that are unique across multiple servers, nodes, or datacenters using the Distributed strategy.</td><td>Set Strategy to Distributed and configure NodeId, DatacenterId, ShardId, and Namespace as per system requirements.</td></tr><tr><td>Alternative Strategies</td><td>Choosing CryptoRandom, UuidV1, or Ulid when a timestamp-based or cryptographic randomness approach is needed.</td><td>Configure Strategy accordingly; for instance, use UuidV1 when you need a time-based UUID.</td></tr><tr><td>Batch ID Generation</td><td>Efficiently generating a large number of IDs at once to support high-throughput scenarios such as logging or event processing.</td><td>Set BatchSize to a high number and use the synchronous or asynchronous GenerateId methods as required.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Real Life Usage Scenarios

| Scenario                     | Description                                                                                                                               | Example                                                                                                           |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| High-Volume Web Applications | In a web application with multiple servers, using the Distributed strategy ensures IDs are unique across the entire platform.             | Each server is configured with its own NodeId and DatacenterId; Namespace distinguishes application-specific IDs. |
| Microservices Architecture   | Different microservices can utilize specific NodeIds and Namespaces to ensure that each service’s generated IDs are unique and traceable. | Microservices set unique configurations for NodeId and Namespace, facilitating debugging and traceability.        |
| Logging and Audit Systems    | For logging purposes, generating IDs that include a timestamp and distributed components aids in tracking and correlating events.         | Use the Distributed strategy with a custom Epoch and BatchSize to quickly generate correlated log IDs.            |

***

### Troubleshooting Tips

<table><thead><tr><th width="230">Problem</th><th>Possible Cause</th><th>Suggested Fix</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Out-of-Range Values for NodeId or DatacenterId</td><td>Values outside the range (0–1023) may be assigned inadvertently.</td><td>Validate input values and ensure they fall within the permitted range.</td></tr><tr><td>Incorrect ID Parsing</td><td>A custom Epoch or misconfigured distribution settings can lead to IDs that are hard to parse.</td><td>Revert to the default Epoch or re-examine the distribution configuration to align with system expectations.</td></tr><tr><td>Batch Generation Performance Issues</td><td>Using an excessively high BatchSize might impact performance or memory usage.</td><td>Fine-tune BatchSize based on performance testing and monitor resource usage.</td></tr><tr><td>Namespace Collisions</td><td>Not using a unique Namespace in a multi-tenant environment can lead to collisions between IDs generated by different systems.</td><td>Set a unique Namespace for each tenant or application instance to avoid collisions.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Review

<table><thead><tr><th width="210">Aspect</th><th>Review</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Flexibility</td><td>Offers a wide range of strategies that can be customized for both centralized and distributed ID generation needs.</td></tr><tr><td>Scalability</td><td>Parameters such as NodeId, DatacenterId, ShardId, and BatchSize ensure that the system can scale as needed across multiple nodes.</td></tr><tr><td>Ease of Configuration</td><td>Simple property assignments make it straightforward to configure the desired strategy and distribution settings for different scenarios.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Summary

<table><thead><tr><th width="310">Summary Point</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Strategy Selection</td><td>Developers can choose from multiple strategies to generate unique IDs, each suited to different application requirements.</td></tr><tr><td>Distributed Configuration</td><td>NodeId, DatacenterId, ShardId, and Namespace settings ensure IDs remain unique in distributed environments.</td></tr><tr><td>Customizable Epoch and BatchSize</td><td>Custom Epoch values and adjustable BatchSize provide further control over how IDs are generated and optimized for high-throughput scenarios.</td></tr><tr><td>Seamless Integration</td><td>The clear and simple configuration makes it easy to integrate these settings into .NET WinForms applications, ensuring reliability and scalability.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Code Samples and Examples

#### Example 1: Basic Distributed ID Generation

```csharp
using System;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

namespace DistributedIDDemo
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Initialize the ID generator with distributed settings
            SiticoneIdGen idGen = new SiticoneIdGen();

            // Configure distribution-related properties
            idGen.Strategy = IdGenerationStrategy.Distributed;
            idGen.NodeId = 5;
            idGen.DatacenterId = 2;
            idGen.ShardId = 1;
            idGen.Namespace = "OrderService";
            idGen.Epoch = new DateTime(2024, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, DateTimeKind.Utc);
            idGen.BatchSize = 100;

            // Generate a unique distributed ID
            string uniqueId = idGen.GenerateId();
            Console.WriteLine("Generated Distributed ID: " + uniqueId);
        }
    }
}
```

#### Example 2: Using an Alternative Strategy (UuidV1)

```csharp
using System;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

namespace UuidV1Demo
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Initialize the ID generator
            SiticoneIdGen idGen = new SiticoneIdGen();

            // Select the UuidV1 strategy for timestamp-based ID generation
            idGen.Strategy = IdGenerationStrategy.UuidV1;

            // Generate a UuidV1 based ID
            string uniqueId = idGen.GenerateId();
            Console.WriteLine("Generated UUID V1: " + uniqueId);
        }
    }
}
```

#### Example 3: Asynchronous Batch ID Generation in a WinForms Application

```csharp
using System;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

namespace WinFormsDistributedDemo
{
    public partial class MainForm : Form
    {
        private SiticoneIdGen idGen;

        public MainForm()
        {
            InitializeComponent();

            // Initialize the ID generator with distributed settings
            idGen = new SiticoneIdGen
            {
                Strategy = IdGenerationStrategy.Distributed,
                NodeId = 3,
                DatacenterId = 1,
                ShardId = 0,
                Namespace = "UserService",
                Epoch = new DateTime(2024, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, DateTimeKind.Utc),
                BatchSize = 50
            };

            // Subscribe to the IdGenerated event for additional processing
            idGen.IdGenerated += IdGen_IdGenerated;
        }

        private void IdGen_IdGenerated(object sender, SiticoneIdGeneratedEventArgs e)
        {
            // Display the generated ID in the text box
            generatedIdTextBox.Text = e.GeneratedId;
        }

        private async void generateButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            // Generate an ID asynchronously and display it
            string id = await idGen.GenerateIdAsync();
            generatedIdTextBox.Text = id;
        }
    }
}
```

***

### Additional Useful Sections

#### Integration Checklist

<table><thead><tr><th width="302">Checklist Item</th><th>Requirement/Action</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Verify Strategy Selection</td><td>Ensure that the Strategy property is set to the intended algorithm for your application.</td></tr><tr><td>Validate Node and Datacenter IDs</td><td>Confirm that NodeId, DatacenterId, and ShardId are within the allowed range (0–1023).</td></tr><tr><td>Set Appropriate Namespace</td><td>Use a unique Namespace to differentiate IDs across various applications or services.</td></tr><tr><td>Configure Epoch and BatchSize</td><td>Customize Epoch and BatchSize based on performance and uniqueness requirements.</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### FAQ

| Question                                             | Answer                                                                                                                   |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| What strategies are available?                       | The available strategies are Distributed, CryptoRandom, UuidV1, and Ulid.                                                |
| How do I choose the correct NodeId and DatacenterId? | Choose values within the range 0–1023 that reflect your system's architecture; these values help partition the ID space. |
| Can I change the Epoch after initialization?         | Yes, but ensure that any change is consistent across all nodes to avoid ID collisions or parsing issues.                 |

***

### Final Review

<table><thead><tr><th width="209">Aspect</th><th>Review</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Flexibility</td><td>Multiple strategies allow developers to tailor ID generation to the needs of centralized or distributed systems.</td></tr><tr><td>Scalability</td><td>Distributed parameters (NodeId, DatacenterId, ShardId, Namespace) ensure scalability in high-volume environments.</td></tr><tr><td>Ease of Configuration</td><td>Simple property settings and clear code samples make it straightforward to integrate these settings into .NET WinForms applications.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

### Summary

<table><thead><tr><th width="273">Summary Aspect</th><th>Recap</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Multiple Generation Strategies</td><td>Offers Distributed, CryptoRandom, UuidV1, and Ulid strategies to meet different system requirements.</td></tr><tr><td>Distributed Configuration</td><td>Allows configuration of NodeId, DatacenterId, ShardId, Namespace, Epoch, and BatchSize for globally unique ID generation.</td></tr><tr><td>Optimized for Scalability</td><td>Customizable distribution settings ensure that IDs remain unique and can be generated at high volumes in distributed systems.</td></tr><tr><td>Seamless Integration</td><td>The clear documentation and straightforward configuration options make integration into WinForms applications simple and effective.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

This documentation for the ID Generation Strategy and Distribution Settings feature should serve as a comprehensive guide for developers to integrate and configure the SiticoneIdGen control in their .NET WinForms applications.
