	Barcode Readers

What is CODE128?

CODE128 is a barcode developed by Computer Identics in the United States
in 1981.
CODE128 can express all 128 ASCII code characters (numbers,
upper/lower case alphabets, symbols, and control codes) with a barcode. Since all characters
input from computer keyboards (except for kanji, hiragana, and katakana) can be expressed,
it is a barcode highly compatible with computers.

Configuration of CODE128

The basic configuration is as follows:

	Four types of bar width are used.
	One character is expressed with three bars and three spaces (total of six factors).
	Three types of start characters are used: "CODE-A", "CODE-B", and "CODE-C". The type of start character determines the characters which can be expressed in the subsequent data.

Characteristics of CODE128

	All 128 ASCII characters can be converted into barcodes (including control codes of [ESC], [STX], [ETX], [CR], and [LF].)
	When the start character is "CODE-C", a single bar pattern can express two digits of numbers, which makes bar configuration quite efficient. When the number of digits is 12 or more, CODE128 code can be made smaller than ITF.
	Since four types of bar width are used, high printing accuracy is required of the printer. In other words, dot impact printers, inkjet printers, and flexographic printing on corrugated cardboard are not recommended.

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