Barcode Symbology

Symbology, now there is a big word that us sophisticated consultants just love to bandy around.

But here goes for another Betty Secret, Symbology is just a flash word for a barcode language. For example, if on my holidays I travel to the Tropical Island of Sri Lanka, I will need to speak the local dialect. In the same way that there are different languages such as French, German, English etc so there are different symbologies such as Code 39, GS1-128, EAN13, etc.

Now, the clever part is that the barcode scanners can read many different languages without the user knowing that one moment it is decoding an EAN13 code and then the next a Code 39. It is a bit like having a babel fish in your ear!

I would suggest, and so my colleagues at Datalinx keep telling me, that the barcode you use on printed documentation is the thing that dictates which code you should use. A few simple questions will soon identify the symbology to use.

First off, are you looking to print both Alpha’s and Numeric’s (A to Z and 0 to 9)? If the answer is yes, then you are instantly limited to one of two Symbologies; GS1-128 (or EAN128) and Code 39.

If you are supplying to the retail trade then it will be dictated to you that you use the Symbology EAN13.

If you only want to print Numeric’s (0 to 9), then you may choose one of several different symbologies, however, I would only recommend the use of Code 39, GS1-128 or Interleave 2 of 5. But be careful with Interleaved 2 of 5, as it can, in certain situations be short read (i.e. only reading part of the code) although its advantage is it is very economical on space.

So in conclusion, and putting my serious consultant voice on “Unless you are dictated to by a governing body or the company that you are supplying the goods to, then I would recommend the use of Code 39 or GS1-128,” this will meet all your needs!