title: User formatable ID with Auto increment
body: <p>I am creating an app that needs to store project IDs (in a MySql DB).  The Admin user should be able to set the format for the ID numbers (#####, ##-####, YY-##-####, etc)...only before any projects are created of coarse.  The ID must also autoinc. when a normal user creates a new project.</p>
  
  <p>I am thinking the auto increment will have to be done with PHP, by reading the last record and adding 1.</p>
  
  <p>Since the ID format will defined by a user, I think it would probably have to be a single field (varchar?).  Or should the app create multiple fields to accommodate the user defined format?  Any thoughts on this?</p>
  
  <p>Looking for any ideas...</p>