What is a Barcode?

Barcodes are simply a set of symbols used to represent alpha-numeric

information instead of seeing a number1, or letter A, you would see a series of black and white bars in various combinations and in different widths. These are used to encode data. The data encoded in such bars can be decoded again to represent it in human readable form.

Brief History
As far back as the 1960s, barcodes were used in industrial work

environments. Some of the early implementations of barcodes included the ability identify rail road cars. In the early 1970s, common barcodes started appearing on grocery shelves. To automate the process of identifying grocery items, UPC barcodes were placed on products. Today, barcodes are just about everywhere and are used for identification in almost all types of business.

Why Use Barcodes?

To increase productivity and reduce human error. To accurately identify or track something.

The type of barcode to use for a particular situation depends upon: 1. The use. 2. The data encoded in the barcode. 3. How the barcode will be printed.

Working
A bar code consists of a series of parallel, adjacent bars and spaces. A single barcode number is actually seven units. A unit is either black or

white. A unit that is black would display as a "bar". A unit that is white would display as a "space". Another way of writing a barcode unit is "1" for a single unit "black bar" and "0" for a single unit "white space". For instance, the number "1" is composed of the seven units, "0011001" or "space-space-bar-bar-space-space-bar A bar code reader decodes a bar code by scanning a light source across the bar code and measuring the intensity of light reflected back by the white spaces. The pattern of reflected light is detected with a photodiode which produces an electronic signal that exactly matches the printed bar code pattern. This signal is then decoded back to the original data by electronic circuit.

Barcode Symbology
Symbology is a system of encoding data. This system is created so that an object such as a scanner can then decode the data from the barcode.

categories: discrete Continuous Discrete Each separate character is decoded by the scanner or other device by itself. Continuous Every single character on an individual barcode must be read together. If they are separated, the barcode becomes invalid. These types of barcodes are used for more important types of things such as human identification (driver's licenses, etc)

Principals And Foundations Of Barcode Symbology

Every part of a barcode has a special meaning, which is why it is encoded to be interpreted by a computer. principals and foundations of barcode symbology symbol set density Readability Setup acceptance. Acceptance basically means that the barcode should be compatible with another company's scanners or database so that it can be easily read. The UPC code is the most commonly used form of barcode symbology.

Barcode Symbology
Types:

SSYMBOLOGIES

LINEAR/1D BARCODE Code 39 Code 128 Code UPC Code EAN Code ITF Code POSTNET Etc..

2D BARCODE Code Aztec Code PDF417 Code Datamatrix Code QR Code Maxicode Etc

Barcode (examples)
There are two types of barcodes: Linear barcodes and 2D barcodes. Some examples include:

Barcode Types(examples)
Numeric-only barcode:

EAN-13 , EAN-8 ,UPC-A, UPC-E , Code 11 ,PostNet Alphanumeric barcodes: Code 39 , Code 93 , Code 128 ,LOGMARS 2-Dimensional barcodes: PDF417 ,DataMatrix ,Maxicode , QR Code Industry Standards for Barcodes and Labels: Bookland EAN encodes ISBN numbers, ISSN and the SISAC Barcode, OPC Optical Industry Association barcode , Co-Operative labels

Barcode Types

Choosing the Best Barcode Type to Use

Determining the best type of barcode to use depends on the environment,

requirements, application, and printer. When dealing strictly with barcode fonts, there are two types: 1.Fonts that require encoding with use of a font tool (Code 128, UPC, Data Matrix, Code 93) 1.Fonts that do not require encoding. Self-checking fonts (Code 39, Codabar)

Code 39
Code 39 is an alphanumeric bar code. Most Common coding for custom usage. Decoded virtually by any barcode scanner. Encodes 44 characters only. Each character is composed of nine elements: 5 bars and 4 spaces. Three of nine elements are wide(binary value 1) and six elements are

narrow (binary value 0). (*) is used at Start and End of the code as a delimiter. No checksum required. It is the standard bar code used by the United States Department of Defense and the Health Industry Bar Code Council (HIBCC) and in the automotive industry.

Code 128
High density alphanumeric barcode. Encode all 128 characters available in

ASCII format. Have a mandatory check character which maximizes data integrity. Uses least amount of space for data of 6 characters or more of any 1-D symbology. The major drawback is the barcode must be printed by high-resolution printer to be scanned correctly. It is mainly used in logistics for ordering, distribution and transportation. All in all it is geared towards non-POS products.

UPC
UPC-A

The UPC-A barcode uses 12 digits (including one check digit) and is the most common and well-known barcode in the United States. It is used on practically all consumer goods in stores, including food items, books, magazines, and newspapers. UPC-E The UPC-E is a 6 digit-shorter version of UPC-A. This barcode is about half the size of the UPC-A for the same product number. Only a subset of the numbers that can be encoded with UPC-A can be encoded with UPC-E. It is used on products with small packaging.

EAN
EAN-13 is a 13 character symbology and is based upon the UPC-A

standard. First implemented by the International Article Numbering Association (EAN) in Europe and is widely used internationally. EAN-13 is a superset of UPC-A. It uses 13 digits (including one check digit) instead of the 12 digits (including one check digit) used by UPC-A. EAN barcodes are used in Europe for consumer products like groceries, DVDs, clothing and other items being scanned at the point of sale.

PDF-417
Is a two-dimensional barcode which can store up to about 1,800 printable

ASCII characters or 1,100 binary characters per symbol. The symbol is rectangular, it is also possible to break large amounts of data into several PDF-417 symbols which are logically linked. There is no theoretical limit on the amount of data that can be stored in a group of PDF417 symbols. The capacity of PDF-417 can be helpful in applications where the data must travel with the labeled item, where a host database is not always available for quick look-up. PDF-417 is being used for hazardous materials labeling; storing technical specifications and calibration data on electronic instruments; encoding fingerprints and photographs on the backs of drivers' licenses. Requires a 2-D scanner; or a standard CCD or laser scanner and special decoding software

DataMatrix
DataMatrix is a two-dimensional barcode which can store from 1 to about

2,000 characters. The symbol is square and can range from 0.001 inch per side up to 14 inches per side DataMatrix symbols require a 2-D scanner; they cannot be read using an ordinary linear barcode scanner. A number of scanners are on the market using both laser and CCD camera technologies. DataMatrix symbols can be printed using most professional-grade thermal transfer label printers on the market.

QR Code
QR is the short form for Quick Response is a "2D Matrix". QR codes can hold up to 7,089 characters, both numeric and alphanumeric.

Can encode numeric only, alphanumeric, binary, kanji/kana. The squares in the bottom left, top left, and top right corners are locator patterns. Used in a much broader context, aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging). The QR Code was developed in Japan by the Nippondenso Company. QR codes can be printed and stored on practically any surface from rooftops to corn mazes to human skin.

MaxiCode
MaxiCode is a fixed-size code which holds up to 93 data characters. The symbol is composed of a central bulls-eye locator and offset rows of

hexagonal elements; the overall dimensions of the symbol are approximately 1.11 x 1.054 inches. Each element measures 0.035 x 0.041 inches. Created by United Parcel Service, the MaxiCode symbol was designed for quick automated scanning of packages on high-speed conveyor lines (special cameras can read a MaxiCode on a carton travelling at up to 500 feet per minute). A 2-D scanner is required; MaxiCode cannot be read using an ordinary linear barcode scanner.

Comparison
LINEAR/1D STORAGE Horizontal Only 2DDATA Horizontal And Vertical data Up To Several Thousands Characters

CAPACITY

Up To 20 Characters

DATA INTEGRITY

Data Loss When any Area Of Barcode Damaged

Data Remained Intact Although Up To 20% Damaged Area Of Barcode

READING BAR CODES

Barcodes are read by scanners. Illuminate a bar code with light and detect the reflective pattern of the bar

code. The pattern is converted to an electrical high/low signal (reflective/nonreflective) signal and sent to a decoder for conversion to the appropriate letters, numbers and/or characters. There are several forms of bar code scanner Pencil Wand Charged Couple Device Laser Scanner

BAR CODE DECODER

The decoder accepts the hi/low signals from the scanner and compares them

to known bar code patterns. Converts the bar code patterns to numbers, letters and/or special characters depending on the bar code symbology. Decoders can be built into the actual scanner, into a wedge (device that is placed between the scanner and the computer), or directly in to a computer.

Interfaces
A decoder can interface (connect) via RS232 port, keyboard port, or custom

port
RS232 - Require software drivers allowing the computer to understand the

signal coming from the decoder. Keyboard Wedge - Easy to install and require no additional software. When the decoder is attached to the keyboard and keyboard port, the computer receives the data as if it were typed in via the keyboard. Custom Port Custom interfaces that are designed specifically for bar code scanners and have the decoder built right into the computer.

Benefits
Accuracy Of Data Input (Error Free) Aid Effective Management Of Resources And Inventories Labor Savings By Avoiding Manual System Cost Efficient Real Time Data Collection Measurement Of Work In Progress Throughout The Factory Rapid Access To Total Production Costs More Accurate Dispatch

Applications
RETAIL APPLICATIONS

Super markets Counter-mounted Bar Code scanners Universal Product Code (UPC) Price and description information WARE HOUSING HEALTH CARE APPLICATIONS Drugs, devices, instruments Identification of expiry date Blood banking
o o o

Blood group Expiry date Donor traceability

Drawbacks
Pricing Issues Damaged Labels Upfront Cost Training Printer Requirements

Ways to Generate Barcodes in C#.net

Add the below mentioned references to the project. OnBarcode.Barcode.WinForms.dll or OnBarcode.Barcode.ASPNET.dll

Creating Linear Barcodes:

// Create linear barcode object Linear barcode = new Linear(); // Set barcode symbology type to Code-39 barcode.Type = BarcodeType.CODE39; // Set barcode data to encode barcode.Data = "0123456789"; // Set barcode bar width (X dimension) in pixel barcode.X = 1; // Set barcode bar height (Y dimension) in pixel barcode.Y = 60; // Draw & print generated barcode to png image file barcode.drawBarcode("C://csharp-code39.png");

Ways to Generate Barcodes in C#.net

Way to print & encode barcodes to GIF, JPEG, PNG & BMP format by

using C#
// Create linear barcode object Linear barcode = new Linear(); // Set barcode symbology type to Code-39 barcode.Type = OnBarcode.Barcode.BarcodeType.CODE39; // Set barcode data to encode barcode.Data = "0123456789"; // Encode barcodes to other image format, by change file extension barcode.Format = System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Gif; barcode.drawBarcode("C://csharp-barcode-code39.gif");

SUMMARY
Bar code technology is proven to improve productivity,

increase data integrity while reducing costs resulting in a significant impact on customer satisfaction.

Queries?