Generate a Luhman Style ID for Zettelkasten systems for implemenation using QuickAdd and Templater plugins

MakeLuhmanID.md

/*

This script returns a random Letter or Symbol listed in 'characters.

REQUIRES:

• Obsidian: https://obsidian.md
• Obsidian Templater plugin: https://silentvoid13.github.io/Templater/
• Obsidian QuickAdd plugin: https://github.com/chhoumann/quickadd
• Obsidian Luhman plugin: https://www.google.com/search?q=obsidian+luhmann+plugin&newwindow=1

TO USE:

• Save this in your-obsidian-vault/scripts.

• In the Templater plugin settings, choose scripts as the folder for user scripts.

• Create a note and paste this in: <% tp.user.MakeLuhmanID(length) %>.

• Replace length number of random letters you want as an ID.

• Use <% tp.user.RandomLetterGenerator(#) %> to generate a Luhman inspired ID any length`

• Templater can also be used with QuickAdd to create a note from a template with a Luhmann style ID.

• use the 'Temple option in QuickAdd as either a direct command or macro. Include `<% Math.floor((Math.random()*10)+0).toString(16) %><% tp.user.MakeLuhmanID(length) %>0' in the template, not in the template title, to generate a new top level Zettel ID for a Zettelkasten system. This formula can't be pasted into the title because it contains special characters that are not allowed. -This script will return a single letter from characters to use in generation unique IDs. -Use in combination with a random number generator as above to have a #$ starting ID.

• To work with the Obsidian Luhman plugin, generate only lower case letters. If not using the Luhman plugin you can add uppercase, numbers to the characters var to generate a random ID with a set length and no specific meaning.

• You can double up alternating between numbers and letters to create a starting Top Level Zettel with 4 characters to increase the number of unique entry points into your Zettelkasten (i.e <% Math.floor((Math.random()*10)+0).toString(16) %><% tp.user.MakeLuhmannID(length) %><% Math.floor((Math.random()*10)+0).toString(16) %><% tp.user.MakeLuhmannID(length) %>0)

*/ function MakeLuhmannID(length) { var result = ''; var characters = 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz'; var charactersLength = characters.length; for ( var i = 0; i < length; i++ ) { result += characters.charAt(Math.floor(Math.random() * charactersLength)); } return result; } module.exports = MakeLuhmannID;

To use this effectively with the Obsidian Luhman plugin, you want the unique ID to end on a number.

Here is an example:

Entry Zettel using QuickAdd & Templater to create a unique Top level ID:

Templater code created Unique Starting ID

You must copy and paste it into the Title

Then use the Obsidian Luhman Plug in to create Siblings and Child Zettels!

I have QuickAdd ask me for the Central Idea to use as the Title. It also adds it to the note itself.