MySQL Auto_increment with large number of records

[DougieC]

Hello all,

Here is my problem. I am inserting time series data into a mastertable. I would like to use an Auto_incrementing field as my primary key. Is this possible when inserting multiple records at the same time?

Any special script needed?

[Atli]

That should not be a problem.

If you have a table with a AUTO_INCREMENT id and a DATETIME column, you could insert multiple rows like this.

INSERT INTO myTbl(dateTimeCol)
VALUES
(NOW()), (NOW()), (NOW()), (NOW())
 

This would insert four rows containing the ID (1 - 4) and the time when it was created.

[DougieC]

Sorry maybe I was unclear. I have 10 years of monthly Human resource data, composed of hundreds of thousand records per extract. I am taking raw data, and after shifting through to find reliable data, am creating a usable database.

I have multiple tables that I am populating. In some tables I can use a unique identifier of a SSN. But in other tables, individuals (SSNs) will be duplicated when there are changes to their information, such as a move or marriage. In this case, if its possible, I would like to use an auto_incrementing number as the unique identifier.

I am wondering if it is possible to insert many thousand records at once while using the auto_incrementation?

If not, are there any other recommendations to create an unique identifier?