How to create a random (or unique) string (or number)

Problem

1. using an a primary key in a table
2. for security purposes like creating a salt to attach to a hash value

Possible solutions

1. Create a new GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) by using the GUID.NewGuid method
2. Use the RNG Crypto service provider to create a random byte array and convert it into a string
3. Use DateTime.Now if that would suffice

Example for using RNG Crypto Service Provider:

	byte[] saltInBytes = new byte[8];
	RNGCryptoServiceProvider saltGenerator = new RNGCryptoServiceProvider();
	saltGenerator.GetBytes(saltInBytes);
	string saltAsString = Convert.ToBase64String(saltInBytes); 

								

References

http://macronimous.com/resources/Secure_Password_Programming.asp