random - How can I generate a GUID in R?

Question

How can I generate GUIDs and UUIDs in R?

I would like to be able to generate GUIDs based on the hardware etc. of the machine running the rsession.

As a fallback, however, I would be happy to create UUIDs that comply with rfc4122.

Is there a package that can create GUIDs? Otherwise, does someone have some RFC4122 compatible UUID code lying about?

Answer 1

The optimal choice for this now is the uuid package. It consists of one function (UUIDgenerate) that doesn't rely on R's internal random number generators and so doesn't suffer any consequences from using set.seed in a session as @thelatemail's answer does. You can choose to have the UUID be generated either by the package's internal random number generator or based on time.