Feature request: Asset tag generation - randomized instead of sequential fixed length integer

[it-ukko]

I'm aware there are many existing open or closed discussions and issues on the subject of asset tag generation and mention the specific subject of this idea (for an example #8385, #13737). I however feel these have failed to proceed due to vaguely defined criteria or just generally sprawling out of control over the years. I would propose the following as a simple starting point into expanding the tag generation functionality and nothing more yet.

Changes from the perspective of the UI:

• Replace the main option "Generate Auto-Incrementing Asset Tags" e.g. with "Generate Asset Tags Automatically"
  • Add a selection e.g. "Tag Generation Method"
    • Option 1 "Auto-Increment": The original method without changes.
    • Option 2 "Randomized": Requested new method.
  • Preserve Prefix and Length settings as they are and apply them to either method.

How the randomized generation method could work in concept:

• Convert the given length to a range
  • Option 1: 3 = 1 - 999, 4 = 1 - 9999, 5 = 1 - 99999... (+ pad with leading zeroes. Matches original sequential method)
  • Option 2: 3 = 100 - 999, 4 = 1000 - 9999, 5 = 10000 - 99999... (fixed length, but no leading zeroes. My preferred option for tag readability)
• Generate a random number from the range (easy demo with GNU Coreutils: shuf -i 10000-99999 -n 10)
  • Check for uniqueness and regenerate if already used.

I feel if this was implemented like described above, it would be (seemingly) simple to start off from while leaving room for possible future additional generation methods like alphanumeric or otherwise more advanced generation as requested in the other issues/discussions.