Downloads and download counts

Just a brainpick regarding the best way to approach this one.

Having files for download and incrementing a download counter by one each time the file is downloaded. Would the best way to do this be an id in the db for each file with a count in that files db entry, and then have the download link calling a script which passes back the uri or redirects for that id and increments the files db count, or is there a better way?

Cheers,

Matt