[TYPO3-core] Universally/Globally Unique IDentifier in core in 6.0?

[Jigal van Hemert]

Hi,

To ease deployment and distribution of database records it would be easy 
if they have truely unique identifiers.
This has also become apparent in a recent discussion about backend 
layouts in TSconfig. One of the arguments was that it would become 
easier to create string IDs and refer to them in TSconfig/Typoscript.

If we had UUID/GIDs as record identifiers instead of incremental 
integers this would all be a lot easier. Import/export of record and 
references in both other tables and configuration would be a breeze.

Pros:
- records can easily be transferred to other installations
- records can be distributed in extensions with virtually no chance of 
collisions among installations

Cons:
- more storage space needed in database
- possible performance problems with indexes if massive amounts of 
inserts/updates are done
- it's harder to use IDs manually

I checked support in databases and all DBMSes supported by TYPO3 have 
functions for UUIDs. These could be used in DBAL to support usage across 
systems.

What do you think?

-- 
Jigal van Hemert
TYPO3 Core Team member

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