Coupon code generation

Question

I would like to generate coupon codes , e.g. AYB4ZZ2. However, I would also like to be able to mark the used coupons and limit their global number, let\'s say <

Answer 1

Though I may get docked for this answer I feel like I need to respond - I really hope that you hear what I'm saying as it comes from a lot of painful experience.

While this task is very academically challenging, and software engineers tend to challenge their intelect vs. solving problems, I need to provide you with some direction on this if I may. There is no retail store in the world, that has any kind of success anyway, that doesn't keep very good track of each and every entity that is generated; from each piece of inventory to every single coupon or gift card they send out those doors. It's just not being a good steward if you are, because it's not if people are going to cheat you, it's when, and so if you have every possible item in your arsenal you'll be ready.

Now, let's talk about the process by which the coupon is used in your scenario.

When the customer redeems the coupon there is going to be some kind of POS system in front right? And that may even be an online business where they are then able to just enter their coupon code vs. a register where the cashier scans a barcode right (I'm assuming that's what we're dealing with here)? And so now, as the vendor, you're saying that if you have a valid coupon code I'm going to give you some kind of discount and because our goal was to generate coupon codes that were reversable we don't need a database to verify that code, we can just reverse it right! I mean it's just math right? Well, yes and no.

Yes, you're right, it's just math. In fact, that's also the problem because so is cracking SSL. But, I'm going to assume that we all realize the math used in SSL is just a bit more complex than anything used here and the key is substantially larger.

It does not behoove you, nor is it wise for you to try and come up with some kind of scheme that you're just sure nobody cares enough to break, especially when it comes to money. You are making your life very difficult trying to solve a problem you really shouldn't be trying to solve because you need to be protecting yourself from those using the coupon codes.

Therefore, this problem is unnecessarily complicated and could be solved like this.

// insert a record into the database for the coupon
// thus generating an auto-incrementing key
var id = [some code to insert into database and get back the key]

// base64 encode the resulting key value
var couponCode = Convert.ToBase64String(id);

// truncate the coupon code if you like

// update the database with the coupon code

1. Create a coupon table that has an auto-incrementing key.
2. Insert into that table and get the auto-incrementing key back.
3. Base64 encode that id into a coupon code.
4. Truncate that string if you want.
5. Store that string back in the database with the coupon just inserted.