$cardnumber="V$cardnumber$rem";
} else {
- my $sth=$dbh->prepare("select max(borrowers.cardnumber) from borrowers");
+ # MODIFIED BY JF: mysql4.1 allows casting as an integer, which is probably
+ # better. I'll leave the original in in case it needs to be changed for you
+ my $sth=$dbh->prepare("select max(cast(cardnumber as signed)) from borrowers");
+ #my $sth=$dbh->prepare("select max(borrowers.cardnumber) from borrowers");
+
$sth->execute;
my ($result)=$sth->fetchrow;