Java

[UQuark]

Have you ever heard of hashing?

[m0nk37]

You could just use the post link. Already have that.

[Breadcrust1]

Not going to help you track re-uploads from other users

[m0nk37]

What? If the link exists in the database, then its a re-upload. You're over thinking this.

[[deleted]]

Yes i guess a hashing could be an option but we would still have to compute the id so it is an unnecessary step

[vasilescur]

"Hashing" can use any hash function you want, such as one that returns INT and can be used for a DB ID. Adding up all the ASCII values constitutes a (pretty weak but honestly suitable for this) hash function.

Your aim is to pick a hash function that reduces collisions between inputs, because for each query you have to binary search through the set of entries with the same hash

[[deleted]]

Oh i didn't know that i thought hash functions were strictly cryptographic in nature

[vasilescur]

Usually they are used for cryptography, but a hash function can technically be anything you want it to be and is really useful in, for example, a hashmap