---
layout: docs
page_title: v4 - uuid - Functions - Configuration Language
description: The uuidv4 function generates a unique id.
---

# `uuidv4` Function

`uuidv4` generates a unique identifier string.

The id is a generated and formatted as required by [RFC 4122 section
4.4](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4122#section-4.4), producing a Version 4
UUID. The result is a UUID generated only from pseudo-random numbers.

This function produces a new value each time it is called, and so using it
directly in job arguments will result in spurious diffs. We do not
recommend using the `uuidv4` function in resource configurations.

## Examples

```shell-session
> uuidv4()
b5ee72a3-54dd-c4b8-551c-4bdc0204cedb
```

## Related Functions

- [`uuidv5`](/docs/job-specification/hcl2/functions/uuid/uuidv5), which generates name-based UUIDs.
