Converting integer to a 4 letter encoded string

Question

I have seen websites generate short urls, where they convert IDs for items into a 4 letter string. Here's an example: https://boxd.it/nrI0

This is for a website called Letterboxd, and the link takes you to a movie page. I'm guessing behind the scenes the movie has an integer ID that is then converted into this 4 letter string (or maybe its stored as that 4 letter value to begin with?)

How is this accomplished?

You ask how is it accomplish in such specific case or in general? — kosciej16, Dec 21 '21 at 11:38
Does this answer your question? [How to convert an integer to the shortest url-safe string in Python?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/561486/how-to-convert-an-integer-to-the-shortest-url-safe-string-in-python) — Arne, Dec 21 '21 at 11:43

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 21 '21 at 11:50

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In general, there are many options to do this. But in most cases there is no direct relation between integer ID and generated slug for short URL. I am pretty sure this case is not exception. I suppose they just generate random 4 letter string that never used before and maintain relation between film and short URL at the database level.

answered Dec 21 '21 at 11:50

Oleksii Tambovtsev

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Could you backup your sentence 'in most cases'? I think the opposite and have an idea how to check it in this case. – kosciej16 Dec 21 '21 at 11:58
@kosciej16 You can think of many options to get 4 letter string from integer. @Arne already gave an example. It can also be any hash-solution (for instance, `md5`), but using only 4 letters of hash (need some more specific logic to avoid collisions in specific case). But if you don't have any insider information, it will be very hard too guess :) – Oleksii Tambovtsev Dec 21 '21 at 17:08

Converting integer to a 4 letter encoded string

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