password_random

Definition

Generates a pseudorandom password that satisfies the global password complexity checks defined on Adaptive Server. “Pseudorandom” indicates that Adaptive Server is simulating random-like numbers, since no computer generates truly random numbers. The complexity checks are:

Minimum password length
Minimum number of digits in password
Minimum number of special characters in password
Minimum number of alphabetic characters in password
Minimum number of uppercase characters in password
Minimum number of lowercase characters in password

For information on setting global password complexity checks, see the 15.0.2 New Feature Guide, Chapter 25.

Syntax

password_random ([pwdlen])

Parameters

pwdlen – an integer that specifies the length of the random password. If you omit pwdlen, Adaptive Server generates a password with a length determined by the 'minimum password length' global option, for which the default value is 6.

The passwords generated by password_random are pseudorandom; to generate truly random passwords, use a stronger random generator.

Examples

Example 1 The password complexity checks stored in the server are:

minimum password length:            10
min digits in password:             2
min alpha in password:              4
min upper char in password:         1
min special char in password:      -1
min lower char in password:         1

select password_random()
----------------------
6pY5l6UT]Q

Using password_random() the following password is generated:

select password_random()
----------------
wS5y9jP7hi

Example 2 The password complexity checks stored in the server are:

minimum password length:                  15
minimum digits in password:                4
minimum alpha in password:                 4
minimum upper-case characters in password: 1
minimum lower-case characters in password: 2
minimum special characters in password:     4

select password_random(25)
-----------------
S/03iuX[ISi:Y=?8f.[eH%P51

Example 3 Update the password column with random passwords for all employees whose name begins with ‘A’:

update employee
set password = password_random()
where name like 'A%'

Example 4 Generate a random password and use it to create a login account for user ‘anewman’.

declare @password varchar(10)
select @password = 		password_random(10)
exec sp_addlogin 'jdoe', @password

Example 5 Enclose the random password generated in single or double quotes if using it directly:

select @password = password_random(11)
-----------
%k55Mmf/2U2

sp_adlogin 'jdoe','%k55Mmf/2U2'