New User? Sign Up  |  Sign In  |  Help
Barcode support and
tutorials from IDAutomation
and the community.
Click for the BBB Business Review of this Computers Hardware, Software & Services in Tampa FL
Resolved Questions

What is the difference between Barcode Symbologies and Barcode Specifications?

I am so confused about Barcode Symbologies and Specification. I need to create an SSCC18 barcode but after looking around, it mentions that Code 128 creates SSCC18.

I don't understand if a specification is the same thing as a symbology, is it different? I am new to barcoding so this is a bit confusing to me.


12-14-12     11.8 year(s) ago    

  Report Abuse

 

Ben

Best Answer

INTRO
For information about Barcode Symbologies and Specifications, please view pages 9 and 10 of the Barcode Educational Guide.
___________________________________________________________

BARCODE SYMBOLOGY AND SPECIFICATION

If you are a bit confused, do not worry, Barcode Symbologies and Specifications can be very confusing. I am going to explain the difference between a barcode symbology and a barcode specification.

A barcode symbology is basically a type of barcode. For example, UPC, Data Matrix, QR Code, and Code 128 are types of barcodes.

image
Code 128 barcode.


A barcode specification is a way a particular industry creates the barcode using a barcode symbology/type. For example, SSCC18 is an example of a specification created from the Code 128 symbology.
image
_____________________________________________________________

EXPLANATION
Think of Code 128 as a hamburger broken down in its simplest form: a bun and a burger. It is a type of food. Or, in the case of Code 128, a type of barcode.

Think of a specification as a particular way the barcode (hamburger) is made; the toppings used to make up the hamburger. For example, cheese, ketchup, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Let's call SSCC18 a hamburger with cheese (a cheeseburger). It is a specification that is created from a type/symbology (hamburger).

A symbology such as Code 128 may have several specific requirements just as a food item, such as a hamburger, may have different a combination of ingredients.


image image

For example SSCC18 (cheeseburger), SCC14 (hamburger with lettuce and tomatoes), and GS1-128 (mustard and ketchup).

Additional example:

Code 39 is a barcode type that also creates several specifications including LOGMARS (Logistics Applications of Automated Marking and Reading Symbols) and HIBC (Health Industry Barcode).

LOGMARS is a specification used by the United States Department of Defense.

HIBC is a specification used by the Healthcare Industry.
_____________________________________________________________

CONCLUSION
Ultimately, a specification (standard) is how the data is handled using the symbology/type. SSCC18 is a barcode specification that identifies an Application Identifier and calculates a check digit based on 17 digits. SCC14 is a barcode specification that identifies an Application Identifier and calculates a check digit based on 13 digits. So, it is slightly different than SSCC18 just as a cheeseburger is slightly different than a hamburger with lettuce and tomatoes.

It is possible for a symbology to have 100s of different standards.

If you are unsure which barcode type to use for the specification that you need to generate, please refer to your specifications guide or contact us.

Posted 11.8 year(s) ago

(0)
(0)
  Report Abuse
 
Find Interesting
 
Email to Others
 
Bookmark
 
Subscribe to Answer Alert
No comments yet.     Be the first to comment.

Email this question link to friends
You must enter an email address, if name is entered or vice-versa for each friend.
Friend #1 -
Friend #2 -
Friend #3 -
Friend #4 -
Friend #5 -
  Your comment on this question
  |         |  
bold  italic  underline  strike       big  small       superscript  subscript 
  Allows to add a link. Added links would only be converted to actual clickable link, when the domain of the link is white-listed by administrator.
Caption :
Link URL :
(Must starts with "http://")
Add  |   Cancel
  Allow to insert an image. Must be among the following file types - *.jpg, *.gif, *.png & *.bmp.
Image Url :   Upload New
(Image url must always starts with " http:// ")
Width : pixels
(Must not be greater than 450px. Enter 0px for no resize)
Add  |   Cancel
  Allow to insert YouTube video. Insert the video embed code.
Embed Code :
Add  |   Cancel
Up to 5000 Characters are allowed. Current Count: 0
  Your comment on this answer
  |         |  
bold  italic  underline  strike       big  small       superscript  subscript 
  Allow you to add a link. Added links would only be converted to actual clickable link, when the domain of the link is white-listed by administrator.
Caption :
Link URL :
(Must start with "http://" or "https://")
Add  |   Cancel
  Allow to insert an image. Must be among the following file types - *.jpg, *.gif, *.png & *.bmp.
Image Url :   Upload New
(Image url must always start with "http://" or "https://")
Width : pixels
(Must not be greater than 450px. Enter 0px for no resize)
Add  |   Cancel
  Allow to insert YouTube video. Insert the video embed code.
Embed Code :
Add  |   Cancel
Up to 5000 characters are allowed. Current Count: 0

You may answer and comment on any thread according to the Terms and Conditions.

 © Copyright 2021 IDAutomation.com, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices.

 Barcode Fonts | Components | Scanners | Support | Contact Us
Training Videos on YouTube Join us on Google Plus Join us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook