Question

pp!id is unique for all process instances?

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
November 27, 2022
7 replies
2 views

I'm using pp!id of a process instance value as orderId field for my db, As I thought it is unique for all process instances, but when I checked It was not. I was wondering is it really unique?

stefanhelzle0001

Brainy

No. Process IDs are reused.

mike.cichy

Employee

Process IDs are not reused but there is a max. Ids range from −2,147,483,647 2,147,483,647. If you use up all 4 billion process ids you won't be able to start any more processes. Even running a 1 million a day, you could run for more than 10 years. We have not had anyone run out of ids so far.

peter.lewis

Employee

I just noticed this thread from a few weeks ago - I actually don't expect process IDs to be reused. In the documentation we mention that the IDs are unique and cannot be reused, which allows you to store the process ID in a database table and be confident that you are pointing to the correct process instance in the future: https://docs.appian.com/suite/help/latest/Process_and_Report_Data.html#process-properties

Can you clarify where you're seeing the process instance ID being the same across multiple instances? Do you have a screenshot / example?

stefanhelzle0001

Brainy

Hi Peter,

My assumption is based on the range of numbers I see used for process ids and that each exec engine seems to have its own range. When running a few million processes a day, I have some doubts that the number will last forever.

peter.lewis

Employee

It is true that each exec engine has different buckets of IDs to use, but the processes should naturally load balance across the engines to have a similar number for each of them.

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