binary-uuid

This package converts a UUID value from a CHAR(36) into a BINARY(16) representation. More importantly, it also scrambles the ordering of the UUID so that the first bytes (the ones that change fastest in UUIDv1) are moved to the middle of the UUID.

This is important for mysql and similar that will index the value based upon the first bytes it sees.

For more information on why this is critical, see Store UUIDs in an Optimized Way.

Installation

yarn add binary-uuid
// OR
npm install --save binary-uuid

UUIDv1

It is important when using the UUID's that we use UUIDv1 and not v4. This is because v4 is inherently random and thus will cause major performance issues if indexed with your database.

If indexing is not a concern then your best bet is to simply convert a uuid yourself.

Examples

Create Binary UUID

By utilizing the default export we can create a UUIDv1 as well as create the BINARY(16) representation quickly.

import createBinaryUUID from "binary-uuid";
 
const binaryID = createBinaryUUID();
 
console.log(binaryID.uuid, " === ", binaryID.buffer);
/*
8a529060-04b1-11e9-9b52-31bbfe39da0e  ===  <Buffer 11 e9 04 b1 8a 52 90 609b 52 31 bb fe 39 da 0e>
*/

type BinaryUUID<UUID> = {|
  +uuid: UUID,
  +buffer: Buffer,
  toString(): UUID
|};
 
function createBinaryUUID(): BinaryUUID<string>;

From Buffer to String UUID

If you have the Buffer and want to convert it to the string representation:

import createBinaryUUID, { fromBinaryUUID } from "binary-uuid";
 
const binaryID = createBinaryUUID();
 
console.log(fromBinaryUUID(binaryID.buffer), " === ", binaryID.uuid);
 
/*
8a529060-04b1-11e9-9b52-31bbfe39da0e  ===  8a529060-04b1-11e9-9b52-31bbfe39da0e
*/

NOTE: If you are not using import you may either use the named export createBinaryUUID require('binary-uuid').createBinaryUUID or use the default value (require('binary-uuid').default).

From UUID to Binary UUID

If you have a UUID already and need it as the binary(16) form:

import v1 from "uuid/v1";
import { toBinaryUUID } from "binary-uuid";
 
const uuid = v1();
const buf = toBinaryUUID(uuid);
 
console.log(uuid, " === ", buf);
/*
03540ac0-04b2-11e9-aa7b-1fa10c272537  ===  <Buffer 11 e9 04 b2 03 54 0a c0aa 7b 1f a1 0c 27 25 37>
*/