How to generate unique 3 or 4 letter alpha strings based on first & last name
<p>I need to loop through every one in the DB and give them a unique 3/4 letter stock symbol like code.</p>

<p>I've got roughly 600 names (of people) and want to generate stock symbol like unique codes for them all, but based roughly on the names (like stock symbols).</p>

<p>For example:
Dale Cooper could be DCO/DAC/DC, but Darren Cooper should generate a different code as all 600 should be unique.</p>

<p>first_name and last_name are in different columns.</p>

<p>Advice much appreciated.</p>
