def get_next_id(self):
        try:
            query = {'_id': 'last_id'}
            update = {'$inc': {'id': 1}}
            fn = self.db.internal.find_and_modify
            row = fn(query, update, upsert=True, new=True)
        except Exception as e:
            raise DatabaseException(e)
        return row['id']
def deadline_for_course(cls, course_key):
        """
        Retrieve the verification deadline for a particular course.

        Arguments:
            course_key (CourseKey): The identifier for the course.

        Returns:
            datetime or None

        """
        try:
            deadline = cls.objects.get(course_key=course_key)
            return deadline.deadline
        except cls.DoesNotExist:
            return None