Sqlite insert into with unique names, getting id

Question

I have a list of strings to insert into a db. They MUST be unique. When i insert i would like their ID (to use as a foreign key in another table) so i use last_insert_rowid. I get 2 problems.

1. If i use replace, their id (INTEGER PRIMARY KEY) updates which breaks my db (entries point to nonexistent IDs)
2. If i use ignore, rowid is not updated so i do not get the correct ID

How do i get their Ids? if i dont need to i wouldnt want to use a select statement to check and insert the string if it doesnt exist . How should i do this?

Answer 1

By "they MUST be unique", do they mean you are sure that they are, or that you want an error as a result if they aren't? If you just make the string itself a key in its table, then I don't understand how either 1 or 2 could be a problem -- you'll get an error as desired in case of unwanted duplication, otherwise the correct ID. Maybe you can clarify your question with a small example of SQL code you're using, the table in question, what behavior you are observing, and what behavior you'd want instead...?

Edited: thanks for the edit but it's still unclear to me what SQL is giving you what problems! If your table comes from, e.g.:

CREATE TABLE Foo(
  theid INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
  aword TEXT UNIQUE ABORT
  )

then any attempt to INSERT a duplicated word will fail (the ABORT keyword is optional, as it's the default for UNIQUE) -- isn't that what you want given that you say the words "MUST be unique", i.e., it's an error if they aren't?