Z4 DataTraq
16
Barcode Types
Product Codes - UPC, EAN and APN
UPC (Universal Product Code), EAN (European Article Number) and
APN (Australian Product Number) codes are compatible article
numbering systems used for consumer products sold in retail outlets.
Product codes are numeric only, and are assigned to manufacturers by a
national organisation.
Code 39
Code 39 was the first alphanumeric symbology developed. Widely
used, it is now the “de facto” non-retail symbology. Although there are
only 43 characters used in Code 39's character set, it is possible to
encode all 128 ASCII characters using Code 39's Full ASCII mode.
Code 128 and EAN-128
Code 128 is a relatively new symbology, providing a very high density
alphanumeric barcode. Code 128 consists of 106 different printed
characters, with each character having three possible meanings
depending on which of three different character sets is in use. EAN-
128 is a specialised version of Code 128 used for Trade Unit
Numbering.
Code 93
Code 93 is also relatively new, and was specifically designed to
complement Code 39, providing the same facilities at a higher density.
Codabar
Codabar is commonly used in library and blood bank applications,
having the digits 0 - 9 and the characters $, :, /, ., + and -. There are
four different start/stop codes, allowing useful information to be
conveyed in these overhead characters.
Interleaved 2-of-5 (ITF) and ITF-14
Interleaved 2-of-5 (ITF) is a numeric-only code with the advantage of
high information density. It is not as reliable in use as other codes, and
is accordingly not recommended. ITF-14 is a specialised 14-digit-only
version of Interleaved 2-of-5 code used for Trade Unit Numbering.
