Hi,

1. can anyone give me some direction on this
2. will it require a database

Thanks

The actual generation of a random number will not require a database. However, if you are looking to store the random string for later use, then you will need a database.

PHP Code:

<?php
    $Number = round(rand(1, 90000));
    echo $Number;
?>

imagine you could store the number in a .txt by appending it thereto, using fopen and fwrite

but imagine, for security reasons, this isn't highly recommended.

To make a ref number i do a few things.

i first generate 2 sets of random numbers.
then i generate a number based on the current timestamp.

I then concatenate them

Refcode = rand1 + timestampNumber + rand2

using a date and timestamp to make a number and some random numbers thrown in will make sure the number is never used again ( as the current date and time wont happen again! )
Ie:
041042223287

Use the current session ID.