Barcoding Code in RPG400

BTW This is what the manual tells:

5.6 BARCODE (Bar Code) Keyword
 
Use this field-level keyword to print a field as a user-specified bar code.  BARCODE is valid only for Intelligent Printer Data Stream* (IPDS*) printers and only for printer
files with device type *IPDS or *AFPDS specified.
 
The format of the keyword is:
 
  BARCODE(bar-code-ID [height] [[*HRZ | *VRT]
  [*HRI | *HRITOP | *NOHRI] [*AST | *NOAST]
  [check-digit] [unit-width]
  [wide/narrow-ratio]])
 
The bar-code-ID parameter is required. Valid values for the bar code ID are listed in Figure 5-6.
 
The height parameter is optional, but if it is specified, it must be the second parameter following the keyword. Valid values for the bar code height are 1 through 9 lines. The
value you specify for the bar code height does not include the human readable interpretation below the bar code. If you do not specify the height parameter, the printer uses a
default height.
 
You can specify the last 6 parameters (all optional) in any order. Using these parameters, you can specify that BARCODE:
 
   Print the bar code horizontally or vertically. The default is horizontal printing (*HRZ).
 
   Include or exclude the human readable interpretation of the bar code. The default is to include the human readable interpretation printed at the bottom of the bar code
    (*HRI).
 
   Indicate that the human readable interpretation should be printed at the top (*HRITOP) of the bar code. (Check individual printer manuals for different bar code support of
    *HRITOP.)
 
   Include or exclude asterisks around the human readable interpretation for CODE3OF9 barcodes. The default is to exclude the asterisks (*NOAST).
 
   Select the check digit type. This is a 1-character hex value that cannot be hex FF.
 
   Specify the width (in inches) of the narrow bar/space. It is specified as an expression of the form (*WIDTH value). For more information on how to specify expressions,
    see "Syntax Rules" in topic 2.2. The valid values for the parameter are 0.007 through 0.208.
 
   Specify the ratio of the wide bar/space to the narrow bar/space. It is specified as an expression of the form: (*RATIO value). The valid values for the parameter are 2.00
    through 3.00.
 
 
Note:  The overall barcode width is dependent on:
 
          Ratio or width parameter in user DDS.
 
          Actual customer data in the barcode.
 
          Limitations of printer hardware, such as PEL density, pins and so on.
 
 
 
The width and ratio parameters are ignored for the 4234 and 4224.
 
For more information about the 4224 printer models, see the 4224 Printer Models 1xx and 2xx Product and Programming Descriptions, GC31-2551.
 
If you specify an optional parameter that does not apply to the bar code ID you have specified, the printer ignores the optional parameter.
 
If you attempt to print a bar code on a printer that does not support bar codes, the digits in the code are treated as text, and a diagnostic message results stating that the bar
code could not print.
 
The line and position you specify for the field is used as the upper left corner of the bar code. Because the line specified in the DDS is the base line (the imaginary line on
which characters are printed) and this is used as the upper edge of the bar code, the bar code appears to extend down from the bottom of the line you specify.
 
Figure 5-6 describes valid data types and field lengths for the BARCODE field.
 

 Figure  5-6. Valid Bar Code Definitions                                
,,$
 Bar Code ID            Data Type               Field Length          
<<$
 MSI                    S                       1 through 31(1)       
<<$
 UPCA                   S                       11                    
<<$
 UPCE                   S                       10                    
<<$
 UPC2                   S                       2                     
<<$
 UPC5                   S                       5                     
<<$
 EAN8                   S                       7                     
<<$
 EAN13                  S                       12                    
<<$
 EAN2                   S                       2                     
<<$
 EAN5                   S                       5                     
<<$
 CODEABAR               A                       1 through 50          
<<$
 CODE128                A                       1 through 50          
<<$
 CODE3OF9               A                       1 through 50          
<<$
 INTERL2OF5             S                       1 through 31          
<<$
 INDUST2OF5             S                       1 through 31          
<<$
 MATRIX2OF5             S                       1 through 31          
<<$
 POSTNET                S                       1 through 31          
<<$
 RM4SCC                 A                       1 through 31          
<<$
 JPBC                   A                       7 through 50          
44$
 Note:  (1) The 4234 Printer only supports 14 digits.                   

 
Figure 5-7 describes the supported bar codes.
 

 Figure  5-7. Bar Codes Supported by DDS                                                                    
,,,,,$
                                                          Default Check                                
                      Digits per     Range of Characters  Digits          Default Check   Valid Check  
 BARCODE              Code           Allowed              Generated       Digits Printed  Digits       
<<<<<$
 MSI (changed         31(1)          0 through 9          2 Modulus 10    No              01 through   
 Plessey)                                                                                 09           
<<<<<$
 UPC-A                11             0 through 9          1               No              00           
<<<<<$
 UPC-E                10             0 through 9          1               No              00           
<<<<<$
 UPC-2 digit add on   2              0 through 9          No              No              00           
 (must follow a UPC                                                                                    
 A or E bar code)                                                                                      
<<<<<$
 UPC-5 digit add on   5              0 through 9          No              No              00           
 (must follow a UPC                                                                                    
 A or E bar code)                                                                                      
<<<<<$
 EAN-8                7              0 through 9          1               Yes             00           
<<<<<$
 EAN-13               12             0 through 9          1               Yes             00           
<<<<<$
 EAN-2 digit add on   2              0 through 9          No              No              00           
 (must follow an EAN                                                                                   
 8 or 13 bar code)                                                                                     
<<<<<$
 EAN-5 digit add on   5              0 through 9          No              No              00           
 (must follow an EAN                                                                                   
 8 or 13 bar code)                                                                                     
<<<<<$
 INDUST2OF5 or        31             0 through 9          1               Yes             01 02        
 industrial 2 of 5                                                                                     
<<<<<$
 MATRIX2OF5 or        31             0 through 9          1               Yes             01 02        
 matrix 2 of 5                                                                                         
<<<<<$
 INTERL2OF5 or        31             0 through 9          1               Yes             01 02        
 interleaved 2 of 5                                                                                    
<<<<<$
 CODEABAR             Up to 50       0 through 9,         1               Yes             01 02        
                      characters     A through D                                                       
                                     (begin/end only),                                                 
                                     -, ., $, /, +, and :                                              
<<<<<$
 CODE128              Up to 50       Refer to             1               No              01(2) 02     
                      characters     Appendix G, CODE128                                               
                                     Character Set                                                     
<<<<<$
 CODE3OF9 or code 3   Up to 50       0 through 9,         No              No              01 02        
 of 9                 characters     A through Z                                                       
                                     (upper case only),                                                
                                     -, ., $, /, +, %,                                                 
                                     and a blank                                                       
<<<<<$
 POSTNET              Up to 31       0 through 9          1               Yes             Ignored      
                      characters                                                                       
<<<<<$
 RM4SCC               Up to 31       0 through 9          1               Yes             Ignored      
                      characters     A through Z                                                       
<<<<<$
 JPBC                 Up to 50       0 through 9, A       1               Yes             00 01(3)     
                      characters     through Z, and -                                                  
44444$
 Notes:                                                                                                     
                                                                                                            
 1.  The 4234 Printer only supports 14 digits.                                                              
                                                                                                            
 2.  The value 01 for the check digit is not valid for some printers.                                       
                                                                                                            
 3.  The value 01 provides migration support for application programs that use an AFP font to print Japan   
     Postal Bar Codes. Data written into the field must be valid characters in the AFP font. The            
     application program must also write the start, stop, and check digit characters.                       

 
CODEABAR field data must begin with an A, B, C, or D and must end with an A, B, C, or D. For example, A11224455C or D33447799D.
 
Do not specify BARCODE in the same field with the CHRSIZ, CHRID, CVTDTA, DATE, EDTCDE, EDTWRD, FONT, HIGHLIGHT, PAGNBR, TIME, or UNDERLINE keywords.
 
See the CVTDTA keyword for information on coding IPDS bar code commands yourself.
 
If you specify CHRSIZ at the record level, it applies to all fields in that record. If you specify BARCODE in one of those fields, the BARCODE keyword is not allowed.
 
You cannot specify BARCODE on the same record format with BLKFOLD, CPI, or DFNCHR.
 
When you specify BARCODE on a numeric field, the number of decimal positions must be zero.
 
When you specify BARCODE on a constant field, the only valid bar code IDs are CODEABAR, CODE128, and CODE3OF9, and you must also specify the DFT keyword either
implicitly or explicitly.
 
You should specify DEVTYPE (*IPDS) or DEVTYPE(*AFPDS) on the CRTPRTF command when BARCODE is specified in the file.
 
BARCODE is allowed only on data types S and A (see Figure 5-7 for restrictions).
 
Option indicators are not valid for this keyword.
 
Japan Postal Bar Codes (bar-code-ID = JPBC) uses only the bar-code-ID parameter, the bar code print orientation parameter (^*HRZ | *VRT‘), and the check digit parameter.
All other parameters have predetermined values so any input for them is ignored.
 
User specified check digits are not validity checked and could cause bar code errors if they are not valid. The Intelligent Printer Data Stream Reference manual contains
more information on bar codes and valid check digits.
 

Hi Praveen,

There is no input program required for barcode scanning, the scanner just work likes a keyboardemulation, that's all.
The output to a label or barcode is the same as output to any other printing program, not very special.
Except if the "Sato CX Series Printer for Barcode" is a special printer with his own printer langage, as UBI and Zera printers has teir own UPL and ZPL langage.
Please wait till monday and I will look in the office if i have a Sato CX Series Printer for Barcode manual somewhere.

Regards,
Murph

As Murph said, there is no special code required to read barcodes from a keyboard-wedge barcode reader.  You just create a standard 5250 application with a display file.  If you are scanning a single field, or if the barcode field is the last value on the screen, it is handy to use the auto-enter keyword CHECK(ER) on the barcode field (assuming you are scanning fixed-length barcodes).  

Refer to the IBM DDS Reference for information on the CHECK(ER) keyword.

What you need to do is to be able to pass specific ASCII control codes to your printer from your RPG program.  Unfortunately, in the bar-code world, each manufacruter often has their own private control codes.  This means that you have to write a different program (or create a database of codes) for each printer.

This IBM-supplied program demonstrates the process for sending raw ASCII to an AS/400 attached printer.  Then, you just need to consult the device programming guide for your Sato CX printer to find the right series of commands to send to generate your label.  You'll need to specify position, font, spacing, etc.  Some printers support the creation of a "form" that they store in memory in the printer that can reduce the size of the data stream that you need to send each time you print the same format label.

IBM ASCII Transparency program:

http://www-912.ibm.com/s_dir/slkbase.NSF/0/3788b4d775308174862565c2007d473e?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=3#_Section3

Sato Programming Manuals:

http://www.satoamerica.com/Operator+and+Technical+Manuals/98

Sato CX 400 Programming manual:

http://www.satoamerica.com/Images/CMSImage_98_49.pdf

Of course, of you have to do a lot of this kind of work, it is a lot easier to just purchase a package like TL Ashford Barcode 400, which already has support for hundreds of different barcode printers built-in.  I've used this as a barcode printing solution in dozens of shops.  They support most popular barcode printers, including a long list of models from Sato.  The CX is new, and is not listed, but you can call TLA to see if it is supported.  You can have labels up and running in a couple of hours, even if you've never used the software before.  You go into the forms designer, create your layout, and then run the form from either a CL command, or by calling a TLA API to process a single label or a batch of labels from information in a file.  Comes with sample programs ready to copy and run.

http://www.tlashford.com/

Hope that helps.

-Gary Patterson

Hi Praveen,

CHECK(ER) is only recomended if you don't need no type (or scan) other info in that screen.
I will send you the program sample tomorrow.
(if I can find it :))

Regards,
Murph

Hi Praveen,

Sorry, we reprogrammed all labels to zebra ZPL, so no Sato is available anymore, but maybe I can halp you anyway.
The fastest and most reliable way to create a label is not to print it, but send it to the printer with FTP (if possible). In that case, no driver or spoolwriter can add fatal codes to the label.
The first thing you have to do is create a simple test label to be sure how to get something out of the printer.
You can use any language for that (I prefer VB because it's easy to read and change)
attached a tiny example to create a text file that can be send to the printer,
Just try and play a little with the "H200" and "V100" to get an idea how it will work

Because I don't have any PC developent language on this PC, I did it in Excel VBA, so just add the attached snippet to excel, execute and ftp it to your printer.
The attached file is the result of the snippet and can be printed to your printer (you can try).

Programming labels it a lot of trying and shifting text up and down :)

Sub label()
 
Open "c:\label.txt" For Output As #1
 
E$ = Chr$(27)
 
Print #1, E$; "H0200"; E$; "V0100"; E$; "MyLabel";
Print #1, E$; "H0500"; E$; "V0100"; E$; "B103100*Label*"
Print #1, E$; "Q1";
Print #1, E$; "Z";
 
Close
 
 
End Sub

                                              

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Praveen,

CHECK(ER) works just fine even if there is other information on the screen that is being entered manually.  You just need to position the barcode field with CHECK(ER) is the last field on the screen (as I stated in my earlier post).

In many barcode applications, the barcode field is the only field on the screen.  this works fine too.

-Gary Patterson

Hi Praveen,

If you need to use the barcode to read in an exisint program, and like to have auto enter, you dont need to alter the program, in most of the cases, you be able to add a trailing character in the scanners setup.
(We use the "|" pipe-symbol) in your terminal emulations key-bard mapping, you can replace this character by an enter function, so that the scanner sends a | at the end of every scan, and the as/400 get it as a enter key.

About setup, even there is a control character in most of the barcodes, it will happen now and then that a wrong baarcode is red by the scanner. I advise to use the overscan option (or multiscan) with this option the scanner automatically cans multiple times and take the hit as you set up 2 ot of 3 or 4 out of 5 .
To prevent peaople to scan the barcode twice (double input in the program) you also change a setting in the setup, that prevent that the same barcode is red twice (without scanning an other code first)
All setup seqences can be found in the scanners manual.

Regards,
Murph

As promised, a little program that print 3 text fileds + a barcode

Copy the file BAR001.TXT to an RPGLE-Source
Copy the file BAR001D.TXT to an DDS-Source type DSPF
Copy the file BAR001P.TXT to an DDS-Source type PRTF

Compile BAR001D
Compile BAR001P with compiler option DEVTYPE(*AFPDS)
Compile BAR001

Run by : CALL BAR001

It's just a QAD example but with nothing else then you asked for.

Good luck,
Murph