Sequences

Article Type: Concept
Audience: App Administrators, Application Designers, Developers
Module: App Management
Applies to Versions: All Versions

1. Overview

Sequences provide system-generated unique identifiers for data records using configurable patterns including prefixes, suffixes, increments, and zero-padding. This feature eliminates manual code development for common numbering scenarios such as work orders, purchase orders, sales orders, serial numbers, lot numbers, and process routing steps. Sequences integrate directly with data model schemas as default field values and can be referenced in flows, imports, and integrations, ensuring consistent and automatic number generation across the entire application.

2. Architecture & Data Flow

Definitions

• Sequence: System-defined number generator with configurable patterns for producing unique identifiers across data records.
• Type: Data type of generated values - either String (alphanumeric with prefix/suffix support) or Int (numeric only with zero-padding).
• Increment: The numeric value by which the sequence advances with each generation (typically 1, but can be 10, 20, etc. for step intervals).
• Prefix: String type only - fixed characters prepended to the sequence number (e.g., "WO-", "NCR-", "PO-").
• Suffix: String type only - fixed characters appended to the sequence number (e.g., "-2025", "-REV1").
• Zero Padding: Minimum number of digits for the numeric portion, with leading zeros added as needed (e.g., zero padding of 4 produces 0001, 0002, 0003).
• Sequence Number: Individual generated value tracked in the Sequence Numbers tab, showing the key, label, and current value for each unique sequence instance.
• Key: Unique constraint identifier that triggers separate sequence generation - used when sequences are tied to specific data model relations like product IDs.
• Label: Human-readable description combining sequence name and key for identifying specific sequence instances.

Components

• Sequence Definition: Configuration including name, type, increment, prefix, suffix, and zero padding
• Sequence Generator: System component that produces next sequential values based on defined patterns
• Sequence Tracker: Database component maintaining current value for each sequence instance
• Data Model Integration: Schema configuration linking sequences to field default values
• Flow Integration: Capability to generate sequence values within data flows and business logic
• Import/Integration Handler: System that can assign sequence values during data imports and external integrations
• Unique Constraint Manager: Component that creates separate sequence instances based on data model relation keys

Sequence Generation Process

When a sequence is invoked (via data model default value, flow action, or import):

1. System determines if unique constraint applies (checks for key value from related data)
2. Retrieves current sequence value for the applicable key (or default if no key)
3. Increments value by configured increment amount
4. Applies zero-padding to meet minimum digit requirements
5. For String type: prepends prefix and appends suffix to create final value
6. Stores updated sequence value in Sequence Numbers tracker
7. Returns generated value to calling context (field default, flow variable, import record)

3. Use Cases

• Work Order Numbers: Generate sequential work orders like WO-0001, WO-0002, WO-0003 with prefix "WO-", zero padding of 4, and increment of 1.
• Non-Conformance Reports: Create NCR identifiers like NCR-16, NCR-17, NCR-18 with prefix "NCR-", no zero padding, and increment of 1.
• Purchase Order Numbers: Generate PO numbers like PO-2025-0001, PO-2025-0002 with prefix "PO-", suffix "-2025", zero padding of 4.
• Process Routing Steps: Create step sequences 10, 20, 30, 40 per product with increment of 10, starting a new sequence for each productId using unique constraints.
• Lot Numbers: Generate lot identifiers like LOT-20250115-001 combining prefix, date suffix, and zero-padded sequence.
• Serial Numbers: Create serial numbers like SN-100001, SN-100002 with high starting value (after migration from legacy system) and zero padding of 6.
• Invoice Numbers: Generate invoice sequences like INV-2025-001 with yearly reset capability for testing environments.
• Asset Tracking: Create asset tags like ASSET-BUILDING1-001 starting separate sequences per building using unique constraint on location relation.
• Quality Check IDs: Generate QC numbers like QC-001, QC-002 automatically assigned during data import from inspection equipment.
• Customer Reference Numbers: Create customer-specific reference sequences using unique constraint on customer ID, generating CUST123-0001, CUST456-0001 independently.

4. Screen Details

The Sequences screen is accessed via App Management > Sequences in the App Admin menu section.

Sequences List Screen

The main screen displays all sequences with searchable and filterable columns:

Actions (Toolbar):

• Search: Filter sequences by name or configuration values
• Create Sequence: Open dialog to add new sequence definition
• Edit Sequence: Modify existing sequence configuration
• Delete Sequence: Remove sequence definition (with confirmation)

Create/Edit Sequence Form

The Create/Edit dialog presents fields based on selected Type:

All Types

String Type Only

Int Type Only

Int type sequences do not have Prefix or Suffix fields - only Increment and Zero Padding are configurable.

Sequence Detail Screen

Clicking a sequence name opens the detail view with three tabs:

DETAILS Tab

Shows sequence configuration fields (Name, Type, Increment, Prefix, Suffix, Zero Padding Min) with inline editing capability. Right panel displays History:

• Created At: Timestamp of sequence creation
• Created By User: Username of creator (with clickable email link)
• Updated At: Timestamp of last modification
• Updated By User: Username of last modifier

SEQUENCE DATA CHANGES Tab

Displays audit trail of changes to the sequence definition configuration, showing what changed, when, and by whom.

SEQUENCE NUMBERS Tab

Lists all sequence number instances with management capabilities:

Actions (SEQUENCE NUMBERS Tab):

• Search: Filter sequence numbers by label, key, or value
• Add Sequence Number: Manually create sequence instance with specific key
• Reset Sequence: Set sequence value back to 0 (useful for testing)
• Set Sequence Value: Manually set current value (useful for migration scenarios)
• Delete Sequence Number: Remove specific sequence instance
  

5. Technical Details

Type Options: String vs Int

String Type

• Output Format: Alphanumeric string with optional prefix and suffix
• Configuration: Prefix + Zero-Padded Number + Suffix
• Example: Prefix "WO-", Zero Padding 4, Suffix "-2025" produces "WO-0001-2025", "WO-0002-2025"
• Use When: Human-readable identifiers needed, prefixes/suffixes provide context, or mixing letters and numbers
• Data Model Field Type: Must be String field in data model schema
• Sorting Behavior: Lexicographic (alphabetic) sort - may not sort numerically as expected without proper zero padding

Int Type

• Output Format: Numeric integer with optional zero padding
• Configuration: Zero-Padded Number only (no prefix/suffix)
• Example: Zero Padding 5 produces "00001", "00002", "00003"
• Use When: Pure numeric sequences needed, mathematical operations required, or precise sorting critical
• Data Model Field Type: Must be Int or Number field in data model schema
• Sorting Behavior: Numeric sort works correctly - screens can sort ascending or descending as expected

Integration with Data Models

Sequences integrate with data model schemas as default field values, providing automatic number generation during record creation:

Configuration Steps

1. Navigate to Data Management > Data Model > Custom Fields
2. Select the data model (e.g., WorkOrder, NonConformanceReport)
3. Create or edit a field (ensure field type matches sequence type)
4. In field configuration, locate Default Value section
5. Select the desired sequence from dropdown (only matching-type sequences appear)
6. Save field configuration

Behavior

• Automatic Generation: When new record created via screen, flow, or API, sequence generates next value automatically
• User Override: Users can manually enter value instead of accepting sequence default (if field is editable)
• Unique Constraints: If field has unique constraint configured, sequence can start new instance per related record key
• Import Integration: During data imports, can choose to assign sequence values or import existing values

Integration with Flows

Sequences can be invoked within data flows for dynamic number generation:

• Flow Nodes: Use sequence generation nodes or function calls to generate values programmatically
• Variable Assignment: Store generated sequence value in flow variable for use in subsequent nodes
• Conditional Generation: Generate sequences based on business logic conditions within flows
• Batch Processing: Generate multiple sequence values in loop structures for bulk operations
• Naming Convention: Use flowName_nodeName pattern for sequences used exclusively within flows

Unique Constraints and Multi-Key Sequences

Sequences support unique constraints that trigger separate sequence generation based on related data model keys. This powerful feature prevents writing massive amounts of manual code for context-specific numbering.

How It Works

1. Configure unique constraint on data model field that references another model (e.g., productId relation)
2. Assign sequence to field as default value
3. When record created, system checks value of constraint key (e.g., which productId)
4. System creates or retrieves separate sequence instance for that specific key
5. Each key maintains its own independent sequence counter

Common Example: Process Routing Steps

Scenario: Each product has its own routing with steps numbered 10, 20, 30, 40...

Configuration:

• Data Model: ProcessRoutingStep
• Field: stepNumber (Int type)
• Sequence: routingStep_sequence (Type: Int, Increment: 10)
• Unique Constraint: productId (relation to Product model)

Result:

• Product A: Steps 10, 20, 30, 40
• Product B: Steps 10, 20, 30, 40 (independent sequence)
• Product C: Steps 10, 20, 30, 40 (independent sequence)

Each product ID triggers a new sequence instance, visible in the SEQUENCE NUMBERS tab with Key column showing the productId value.

Import and Integration Support

• CSV Import: During import, can choose to auto-generate sequence values or import existing values from source system
• Integration Flows: API integrations and data flows can invoke sequence generation for incoming data
• External System Integration: Can assign Fuuz sequences to data received from external systems
• Mixed Data Warning: If importing sequence numbers from another system that have a specific schema or pattern, and placing those in the same field used for Fuuz-generated sequences, you may encounter sorting issues in screens

Naming Conventions

Naming conventions depend on the use case and help maintain organization:

Sequence Management Operations

Set Sequence Value

Manually set the current sequence value (available in SEQUENCE NUMBERS tab):

• Purpose: Migration scenarios where you want to start at a new range from where you left off in a previous system
• Example: Migrating from legacy system where last PO number was 5432, set Fuuz sequence to start at 5433
• Process: Select sequence number instance, choose Set Value action, enter desired starting value
• Effect: Next generated value will be (set value + increment)

Reset Sequence

Reset sequence counter back to 0 (available in SEQUENCE NUMBERS tab):

• Purpose: Testing situations where you create a bunch of test data and want to reset sequences to start over
• Use Case: Starting tests with a 'clean system' or beginning new year/quarter numbering
• Process: Select sequence number instance, choose Reset action, confirm reset
• Effect: Next generated value will be (0 + increment), e.g., 1, 10, 100 depending on increment
• Warning: Use with caution in production - resetting can create duplicate values if existing records reference old sequence numbers

Permissions and Access Control

• App Administrators: Full access to create, edit, delete sequences and manage sequence numbers
• Developers: Full access to create, edit, delete sequences and manage sequence numbers
• Web Access Users: Require explicit policies assigned to roles via RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)
• Granular Permissions: Can grant view-only or edit access separately for sequences and sequence numbers
• Policy Configuration: Define policies in Access Control > Policies and assign to roles

Scope and Migration

• Per Application: Sequences are scoped to specific applications
• Per Environment: Sequences exist separately in build, QA, and production environments
• No Auto-Replication: Changes in one environment do not automatically propagate to others
• Package Support: Sequences can be included in application packages for migration between environments
• Post-Migration Setup: After migrating, may need to set sequence values appropriately for target environment

6. Resources

• Related KB Article: Data Model Custom Fields
• Related KB Article: Import Data
• Related KB Article: Data Flows Overview
• Related KB Article: Access Control - Policies and Roles
• Related KB Article: Application Packages and Migration

7. Troubleshooting

Best Practices

• Match Types Carefully: Always ensure sequence Type matches data model field type to avoid configuration errors and enable proper dropdown selection.
• Use Zero Padding for String Sequences: Apply appropriate zero padding (typically 3-6 digits) to String sequences to ensure correct alphanumeric sorting in screens and reports.
• Descriptive Naming: Follow naming conventions (dataModel_fieldName or flowName_nodeName) to maintain clarity and organization across large applications.
• Don't Mix External and System Sequences: Keep externally-generated sequences in custom data model tables separate from Fuuz-generated sequences to avoid sorting and pattern conflicts.
• Leverage Unique Constraints: Use unique constraints with sequences to automatically create context-specific numbering (e.g., per product, per customer, per location) without manual code.
• Test Reset Capability: In non-production environments, use Reset Sequence feature to clean up test data and start fresh between testing cycles.
• Set Migration Values: After migrating applications between environments, explicitly set sequence values to appropriate ranges for the target environment.
• Document Sequence Purpose: Include sequence purpose and configuration details in application documentation, especially for unique constraint implementations.
• Consider Int for Pure Numbers: Use Int type sequences when working with pure numeric identifiers that require reliable numeric sorting.
• Reserve Reset for Testing: Never use Reset Sequence in production environments as it can create duplicate values and data integrity issues.
• Plan Increment Values: Choose increment values that accommodate your numbering scheme - use 1 for consecutive, 10 for process steps with room for insertions.
• Monitor Sequence Numbers Tab: Regularly review SEQUENCE NUMBERS tab to understand how sequences are being used, especially for unique constraint implementations.
• Coordinate Access Permissions: Grant sequence management permissions carefully via RBAC policies - only authorized users should reset or modify sequence values.

8. Revision History