|
|
|
|
More powerful desktop free barcoding software
CNET Recommends:
Best
Free Barcode Generator Alternatives for Windows
|
|
There are three versions of the software: |
|
|
|
Std
Edition |
|
1.
Use Excel data to batch print simple barcode labels.
Free Download
2.
Print to a laser/inkjet printer, or professional barcode printer.
3. No need to design labels, just simple settings and you can print labels directly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Edition |
|
1. Similar to the std version, more complex labels can be printed.
2. It supports almost all barcode types.
Free Download |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Label
Design
Edition |
|
1. It is used to design and batch print complex barcode labels. Each label can
contain multiple barcodes, texts, patterns and logos. Download
2. Minimize your workload by entering data into worksheets in efficient ways. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary:
1. This software has a permanent free version and a full
version.
2. The
free version can meet the needs of most users.
3. You can test the functionality of the full version in the free version.
4. We recommend you download the free version first.
|
Download Now - Free Version Barcoding Software
Detail steps about how
to use this software
Desktop software can export a set of barcode images to a folder |
1. Import data from Excel files to print batch barcodes. |
2. Make a set of barcodes with serial numbers. |
3. Design complex barcode labels with text and logos. |
4. Print barcode
label matrix to Avery 5160, 5161, 5162, etc. |
5. Print barcode labels via DOS command line. |
6. Make barcodes containing Ascii keys: tab, enter, separator, etc. |
|
|
|
|
Barcode Technology - Code 128 (Barcode 128)
Hide the description |
Code-128 (Barcode 128) is a high-density
linear barcode symbology. It is
used for alphanumeric or
numeric-only barcodes. It can
encode all 128 characters of
ASCII and, by use of an
extension symbol (FNC4), the
Latin-1 characters defined in
ISO/IEC 8859-1.[citation
needed]. It generally results in
more compact barcodes compared
to other methods like Code 39,
especially when the texts
contain mostly digits. |
Valid characters:
0123456789!"#$%&''()*+,-./:;<=>?@[\]^_`{|}
[Space]ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
Control characters:
ASCII 1-31,127 |
Code 128 Auto can encode the
complete ASCII-character set. It
will switching in all 3
character sets of Code 128:
Code 128A: Includes upper case
letters and control characters.
Code 128B: Includes upper and
lower case letters.
Code 128C: Specially optimized
for numbers. |
Code 128 is one of the many
barcode formats currently in
use. |
A Barcode is a method of
representing data in a visual,
machine-readable form. |
The barcode formats has two
categories: |
One-dimensional (1D) ---
Barcodes represented data by
varying the widths and spacings
of parallel lines. |
Two-dimensional (2D) --- Using
rectangles, dots, hexagons and
other geometric patterns to
represented data. |
Code 128 is 1D barcode.
Code 128 is a very effective,
high-density symbology which
permits the encoding of
alphanumeric data. It
includesverification protection
both via a checksum digit and
byte parity checking. This
symbology has been widely
implemented in many applications
where a relatively large amount
of data must be encoded in a
relatively small amount of
space.
Code 128 is variable with
no fixed length. |
|
|
|
For the end user, Code 128
barcodes may be generated by
either an outside application to
create an image of the
barcode, or by a font-based
barcode solution. Either
solution requires the use of an
application or an application
add in to calculate the check
digit and create the barcode. |
Check digit:
The check digit is a weighted
modulo-103 checksum. It is
calculated by summing the start
code 'value' to the products of
each symbol's 'value' multiplied
by its position in the barcode
string. The start symbol and
first encoded symbol are in
position 1. The sum of the
products is then reduced modulo
103. The remainder is then
converted back to one of the 103
non-delimiter symbols (following
the instructions given below)
and appended to the barcode,
immediately before the stop
symbol.
For example, in the following
table, the code 128 variant A
checksum value is calculated for
the alphanumeric string PJJ123C:
==================================================================================
Code
Value Position
Value * Position
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Start Code A
103
1
103
P
48
1
48
J
42
2
84
J
42
3
126
1
17
4
68
2
18
5
90
3
19
6
114
C
35
7
245
Sum
878
Remainder mod 103
54
===================================================================================
For the purpose of computing the
check symbol, the shift and
code-switch symbols are treated
the same as any other symbol in
the bar code. The checksum is
computed over the symbol values,
without regard for which code
set is active at the time. For
instance the code set C value
"33" and the code set B value
"A" are both considered to be a
Code 128 value of 33, and the
check digit is computed based on
the value of 33 times the
symbol's position within the
barcode. |
Barcode length optimization:
Code set C (Code 128C) uses one
code symbol to represent two
digits, so when the text
contains just digits it will
generally result in shorter
barcodes. However, when the
string contains only a few
digits or it's mixed with
non-digit character, it does not
always produce a more compact
code than code sets A or B. |
Human Readable:
Most barcodes display their
corresponding values below them,
which makes it possible to human
read and manually enter
the barcode values into the
equivalent system when the
barcode label is worn out and
cannot be read by the barcode
scanner. |
Advantages:
If you want to reduce costs and
save time, using barcodes is a
good choice. Whether you are a
company or a non-commercial
organization, to improve
efficiency and reduce overhead,
barcodes are a valuable and
viable option, which is
economical and reliable.
Using a barcode system can make
the working process simple and
easy, so it can reduces the
employee training time. It only
takes a few minutes to master
the barcode scanner to
collecting data, employees no
need to familiar with the entire
inventory or pricing process.
This also reduces the cost of
employee training.
The bar code design and printing
cost are low. Generally
speaking, no matter how they are
used or where they are posted,
the cost is not high. They can
be customized economically, in a
variety of finishes and
materials.
The barcode system is very
versatile, it can be used for
any necessary data collection.
This may include pricing or
inventory information or
management information service
system. In addition, because
barcodes can be affixed to
almost any surface, they can be
used not only to track the
product itself, but also to
track the production process,
shipments and equipments.
|
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions About Code
128 Barcode |
|
What is the
origin and development process of Code 128 barcode? |
The Code 128
barcode was developed by COMPUTER IDENTICS in 1981. It is a
variable-length, continuous alphanumeric barcode. It can encode
all 128 ASCII characters.
Code 128 barcode
is a barcode system that can encode alphanumeric or numeric
data.
They are widely
used in manufacturing and distribution industries to track and
manage products, inventory, assets, orders, and shipments. |
|
What are the
benefits of using Code 128 barcodes? |
It can encode all
128 ASCII characters, including numbers, letters, symbols and
control characters, so it can represent all characters on the
computer keyboard.
It enables
high-density and efficient data representation through
multi-level encoding and can be used for automatic
identification in any management system.
It is compatible
with the EAN/UCC system and is used to represent the information
of the storage and transportation unit or logistics unit of the
commodity. In this case, it is called GS1-128. |
|
Who developed the
Code 128 barcode standard? |
The Code 128
barcode standard was developed by Computer Identics Corporation
(USA) in 1981. It can represent all 128 ASCII code characters
and is suitable for convenient application on computers.
The purpose of
formulating this standard is to improve the coding efficiency
and reliability of barcodes. |
|
What is the
structure of the Code 128 barcode? |
Code 128 barcode
consists of a blank area, a start mark, a data area, a check
character and a terminator. It has three subsets, namely A, B
and C, which can represent different character sets. It can also
achieve multi-level encoding through the selection of starting
characters, code set characters, and conversion characters.
Code128 is a
high-density barcode. By using three versions of character sets
(A, B, C) and selection of start characters, code set
characters, and conversion characters, the most optimal barcode
can be selected according to different data types and lengths.
Appropriate encoding method. This can reduce the length of the
barcode and improve coding efficiency. In addition, Code128 also
uses check characters and terminators, which can increase the
reliability of barcodes and prevent misreading or missed
reading. |
|
How many types of
Code 128 barcodes are there? |
There are three
subsets of Code 128 barcodes, namely A code, B code and C code.
Code 128 barcodes can represent 128 ASCII values by switching
different subsets, and there is no theoretical limit to the code
length.
Code 128 A code:
can encode uppercase letters and control characters (such as
TAB, CR/LF, etc.), but cannot encode lowercase letters.
Code 128 B code:
can encode upper and lower case letters, but cannot encode
control characters.
Code 128 C code:
can only encode numbers 0-9, and each two numbers are
represented by a barcode symbol. It is the most compact code set |
|
Why use check
characters and terminators on barcodes? |
Because both
check characters and terminators can improve the reliability of
barcodes and prevent misreading or missed reading.
The check
character is a character obtained by calculating the content of
the data area according to a certain algorithm after the barcode
data area. It helps the scanning device check whether the
barcode has been read correctly. If the checksum does not match
the calculated result, the barcode is incorrect. The terminator
is at the end of the barcode and is used to indicate the end of
the barcode. It can help the scanning device determine the
boundaries of the barcode and prevent irrelevant content from
being scanned. |
|
What is the
difference between Code 128 barcode and GS1-128 barcode? |
Different
application scopes:
Code 128 barcodes
can be used for automatic identification in any management
system, while GS1-128 barcodes must be used in the GS1 system to
represent information on storage and transportation units or
logistics units of goods.
The components
are different:
Code 128 barcode
consists of a blank area, a start character, a data area, a
check character, a terminator, and a blank area. The GS1-128
barcode adds an application identifier (AI) in front of the data
area to indicate different types of data.
Different reading
methods:
Any reader that
can read Code 128 barcodes can read the data of GS1-128
barcodes, but the application identifier needs to be parsed to
get the correct information. |
|
What is the
difference between the GS1-128 barcode and the EAN-128 barcode? |
Different names:
GS1-128 is the
new name for the EAN-128 barcode, used since 2009 to emphasize
that it is a standard of the GS1 organization.
The structure is
different:
GS1-128 barcode
adds an FNC1 character before each application identifier (AI)
to distinguish different data segments.
Different
contents:
GS1-128 barcode
can represent more data types, such as batch number, expiration
date, weight, etc., while EAN-128 barcode can only represent
product number. |
|
What is the
difference between Code 128 barcode and QR Code? |
Code 128 barcode
is a one-dimensional barcode, and QR Code is a two-dimensional
barcode. One-dimensional barcodes can only represent information
in the horizontal direction, while two-dimensional barcodes can
represent information in both horizontal and vertical
directions, so the information capacity of two-dimensional
barcodes is larger.
Code 128 barcode
can represent a total of 128 characters (including numbers,
letters, symbols) from ASCII 0 to ASCII 127. There is no
theoretical limit to the code length, but it is limited by the
printing width of the printer and the scanning width of the
scanner. What it can contain The number of characters generally
cannot exceed 50. QR Code can represent numbers, letters,
Chinese characters and other characters, and the maximum code
length is 7089 numbers or 2953 Chinese characters.
The Code 128
barcode requires a dedicated scanning device to be recognized,
while the QR Code can be scanned and recognized using a
smartphone or other device. |
|
Will Code 128
barcode be replaced by QR Code? |
Won't. Because
Code 128 barcode and QR Code each have their own advantages and
disadvantages, they are suitable for different occasions and
needs.
Generally
speaking, Code 128 barcodes are more suitable for representing
simple numeric or alphabetical information, such as logistics
order numbers, product numbers, etc., while QR Codes are more
suitable for representing complex text or image information,
such as website addresses, business cards, coupons, etc.
The advantages of
Code 128 barcodes are small footprint, fast scanning speed and
high reliability. However, its disadvantage is that its
information capacity is limited and it cannot represent
characters such as Chinese characters. It requires special
scanning equipment to recognize it.
The advantage of
QR Code is that it has a large information capacity, can
represent a variety of characters and images, can be scanned and
recognized with devices such as smartphones, has error
correction capabilities, and can recover partially damaged
information. However, its disadvantages are that it takes up a
lot of space, has a slow scanning speed, and is susceptible to
interference.
Therefore, Code
128 barcode and QR Code are not completely substitutes, but
complementary relationships. Users should choose the appropriate
barcode type based on different application scenarios and needs. |
|
What are the
advantages and disadvantages of Code 128 barcodes? |
The Code 128
barcode is a high-density one-dimensional barcode that can
encode 128 ASCII characters. It has the following advantages and
disadvantages:
Advantage:
Allows
bidirectional scanning processing, improving recognition
efficiency.
The length of the
barcode can be adjusted freely, and up to 232 characters can be
encoded.
You can choose
from three different encoding types: A, B, and C, and choose the
most appropriate method according to the data type and length.
Shortcoming:
There are high
requirements for print quality and scanning equipment, otherwise
it is easy to make mistakes.
A check code
needs to be added, which increases the complexity of the
barcode.
Special start and
end characters need to be used, which takes up a certain amount
of space. |
|
What are the main
application scenarios of Code 128 barcodes? |
Code 128 barcodes
are widely used in internal corporate management, production
processes, and logistics control systems. It has many
application scenarios, mainly in industries such as
transportation, logistics, clothing, food, pharmaceuticals, and
medical equipment.
t can encode
numbers and letters, as well as some special symbols and control
characters. There is also a subset of the Code 128 barcode
called GS1-128, which is a product identification code used for
supply chain management. |
|
Some application
examples of Code 128 barcodes. |
Internal supply
chain:
Internal
management of enterprises, production processes, logistics
control systems, ordering and distribution codes. Code 128
barcodes can store various information, such as item number,
batch, quantity, weight, date, etc. This information can be used
for tracking, sorting, inventory, quality control, etc., to
improve the efficiency and accuracy of the company's internal
supply chain management.
Production line
process:
Code 128 barcodes
can be used in factory production line process management to
monitor production, order fulfillment and distribution processes
in real time, improving production efficiency and quality. Code
128 barcodes can identify product numbers, batches,
specifications, quantities, dates and other information to
facilitate traceability, inspection, statistics and other
operations during the production process. Code 128 barcodes can
also be integrated with other systems, such as ERP, MES, WMS,
etc., to achieve automatic collection and transmission of data.
By affixing Code
128 barcodes to products or parts, you can track and monitor all
aspects of the production process, improving production
efficiency and quality.
By affixing Code
128 barcodes to packaging or shipping boxes, automatic
identification and recording of logistics information such as
entry and exit, distribution, and inventory can be achieved,
improving the accuracy and efficiency of logistics management,
helping to transport products quickly, and ensuring that they
are shipped correctly. Deliver the right product to the right
customer at the right time to meet customer demand and reduce
inventory costs.
By affixing Code
128 barcodes to workers or equipment, automatic collection and
analysis of personnel or equipment attendance, performance,
maintenance and other information can be achieved, improving the
level of human resources and equipment management, and reducing
manual steps to reduce labor costs.
Transportation
and Logistics:
Used for ordering
and distribution codes, product warehousing management,
logistics control systems, ticket sequence numbers in
international aviation systems. Code 128 barcode is used for
ordering and distribution in the logistics and transportation
industry. They can encode Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC)
to identify and track containers and pallets in the supply
chain. They can also encode other information such as best
before dates and batch numbers. Code 128 barcodes can be scanned
by WMS to increase warehouse efficiency.
Logistics
tracking:
Code 128 barcodes
are widely used in logistics tracking. They can be used to
identify goods, orders, prices, inventory and other information.
A subset of Code 128 barcodes is GS1-128, an international
standard used to identify containers and pallets at levels in
the supply chain. You can use a Code 128 barcode scanner to read
this information quickly and accurately. |
|
|
|
|
COPYRIGHT (C)
EasierSoft Ltd.
2005-2024
cs@easiersoft.com |
|
|