Edit: Here, I wrote a module for you. Use it. http://code.activestate.com/recipes/576918/ Counting up from 1 will guarantee short, unique URLS. /1, /2, /3 … etc. Adding uppercase and lowercase letters to your alphabet will give URLs like those in your question. And you’re just counting in base-62 instead of base-10. Now the only problem is … Read more
.NET string object has a GetHashCode() function. It returns an integer. Convert it into a hex and then to an 8 characters long string. Like so: string hashCode = String.Format(“{0:X}”, sourceString.GetHashCode()); More on that: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.string.gethashcode.aspx UPDATE: Added the remarks from the link above to this answer: The behavior of GetHashCode is dependent on its implementation, … Read more
No, they don’t use files. When you click on a link like that, an HTTP request is send to their server with the full URL, like http://bit.ly/duSk8wK (links to this question). They read the path part (here duSk8wK), which maps to their database. In the database, they find a description (sometimes), your name (sometimes) and … Read more