Introduction
Follow these best practices to use UUIDs effectively in your applications.
Choose the Right Version
- Use UUID v4 for maximum randomness and security
- Use UUID v7 when time-ordering is needed
- Avoid UUID v1 in public-facing applications
Database Considerations
- Index UUID columns properly
- Consider using UUIDs as primary keys in distributed systems
- Be aware of storage overhead (16 bytes vs 4-8 bytes)
Security Best Practices
- Never expose sequential IDs in URLs
- Use UUIDs for session tokens and API keys
- Validate UUID format before processing
Performance Tips
- Use binary storage when possible
- Consider UUID v7 for better index performance
- Cache UUID generation when generating many
Conclusion
Following these best practices ensures optimal UUID usage in your applications.