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Barcode Types - Code-128


(sample)

A multi-level bar code developed by Computer Identics Corp. in 1981, named for being able to symbolize 128 characters in full-ASCII.

In other bar codes, one character can express one type of data. In CODE-128, through the selective use of the start character, one character can express three types of data in any position.

  • Selective Start Characters

    Start Code - A = following characters are expressed using full-ASCII.
    Start Code - B = following characters are expressed as a 1-digit alpha-numeric or a mark.
    Start Code - C = following characters are expressed as a 2-digit number.

Change in Data Content By Start Character


[example of change in data content by its start character]

  • Code Set Character

    Code - A : changes the type of following characters to full-ASCII.
    Code - B : changes the type of following charactesr to 1-digit alpha-numeric.
    Code - C : changes the type of following characters to 2-digit numbers.

  • Shift Character

    alters only the following single character from A --> B, B --> C, or C --> A, then back to the original type code.

  • Function Character

    a character for special definition; for example, by inserting FC1 after the Start-code character, it indicates that the data is coded in the UCC/EAN-128 format.
    (See UCC/EAN-128)

With its flexible functionality, it has been adopted as worldwide-common supplemental code for physical distribution.


Summary of Code-128 Symbol


    Character Set
Start Character : START CODE A,B,C
Non-Data Character : FNC 1,2,3,4
Code-Set Character : CODE A,B,C SHIFT
Data Character : ASCII 128 characters
Stop Character :
    Code type Continuous
    Length of symbol variable
    Self Check Yes
    Checkdigit Needed (modulus 103)
    Character Density about 5.83 chars/cm



Character Composition


[Character Composition of CODE-128]