Microsoft P Linear 101 [Read Only] Linearbar Codes

: Microscan Linearbar Codes 101 linearbar_codes_101 resources

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Introduction to Linear Bar Codes

Bar Codes 101

Linear bar codes defined

•A single row of parallel bars and spaces of varying widths that

represent data. The bars and spaces are arranged in a predetermined

pattern defined by the symbology

Narrow bar

•The nominal dimension of the smallest bars and spaces in a bar

code symbol

•Other terms commonly used for narrow bar: x-dimenion, mil size,

module width

•MIL. = .001” = .0254mm

•Used as a reference for determining the size scale of the bar code

.010”(.254mm) or 10 mil

Quiet zone

•The “no print” zone at each end of the bar code. The minimum

zone needs to be 10 times the narrow bar dimension.

Quiet Zone

Start and stop character

•Characters that determine the beginning and ending of the data

set; also tell scanning direction

Start & Stop Character

Bar height

•The measurement of the height of the bars in the bar code

Bar Height

Code words

•A basic unit of encoding a character

Data

Check digit/character

•A character with a symbol that performs a mathematical check

when decoded to make sure the data is correct

Check Digit/Character

Intercharacter gap

•The space between code words used in discrete codes

•Discrete codes start and end with a bar

Intercharacter Gap

This space should not

be greater than (4x)

Discrete code

•A bar code symbology where the spaces between characters

(intercharacter gap) are not part of the code

Code 39 Intercharacter gap

Continuous code

•A bar code symbology where all spaces within the symbol are

parts of characters. There is no intercharacter gap in a

continuous code.

Code 128 No Intercharacter gap

Common linear symbologies

Symbology Continuous/

Discrete

Check

Characters

Data Key Benefits

Code 39 Discrete - Optional

- Module 43

- Alpha

Numeric

- Numeric

- Good Security

- Widely Used

Code 128 Continuous - Mandatory

- Module 103

- Alpha

Numeric

- Numeric

- Good Density

- Good Security

UPC/EAN Discrete - Mandatory - Numeric - World-wide

Standard for Point-

of-Sale

Interleaved 2 of 5 Continuous - Optional

- Module 10

- Numeric - Good Density

Codabar Discrete - Optional

- Module 16

- NW-7

- Numeric

- Special

Characters

More information

•If you have questions regarding this topic, send us an e-mail to

training@microscan.com

•If you would like further information about bar code

symbologies, we recommend you view Intro to PDF417 or

Intro to Data Matrix