Description of Code128 and Its Use in Practice
Introduction
Code128 is a linear barcode with high character density, made for alphanumeric data. It is particularly popular in logistics and retail, and it also turns up in the automotive industry and in healthcare. Two other names for it are GS1-128 and UCC/EAN-128.
Structure of Code128
A Code128 symbol consists of a start sequence, a data zone, a check digit and a stop sequence. The start sequence is a combination of three characters: the start character, one character that encodes the data structure and one that encodes the data sets. The data zone holds the actual data that needs to be encoded. The check digit makes sure that data was encoded correctly. A stop character closes the symbol.
Use in Practice
Code128 is widely used in many areas, thanks to its high encoding density and the fact that most barcode scanners can read it. Logistics and retail track products and orders with it. The automotive industry labels vehicle parts. In healthcare it carries patient and insurance data on hospital labels.
Generating Code128 Barcodes
Plenty of programs and libraries will produce one, among them zxing, bwip-js and python-barcode. They are callable from various programming languages such as Java, JavaScript and Python. There are also online tools that can be used to generate Code128 barcodes.
Reading Code128 Barcodes
Most barcode scanners read Code128. They come in several types: handheld, stationary and mobile scanners. Handheld units are often used in retail stores and warehouses, while fixed-mount scanners sit on production lines and in logistics centers. Mobile scanners can be attached to a smartphone or tablet and are particularly useful for mobile applications.
Conclusion
Code128 is an important barcode and it is used across many fields. Wherever a lot of data has to go into a small space, it is a good fit, because the encoding density is high and barcode scanners are widely available. There are many ways to generate and read it, and most modern scanners handle it without trouble.