Code 39 Barcode

This Symbology is also known as ANSI/AIM Code 39, ANSI/AIM Code 39, Uniform Symbology Specification Code 39, USS Code 39, USS 39, Code 3/9, Code 3 of 9, USD-3, LOGMARS, Alpha39, Code 39 Extended, and Code 39 Full ASCII

This Barcode Symbology is supported by the following Neodynamic products:

Overview

Code 39, the first alpha-numeric symbology to be developed, is still widely used-especially in non-retail environments. It is suitable for encoding general purpose alphanumeric data.
Code 39 is a discrete, variable-length symbology. It is self-checking in that a single print defect cannot transpose one character into another valid character. It is the standard barcode used by the United States Department of Defense, and is also used by the Health Industry Bar Code Council (HIBCC).

What kind of data can be encoded by Code 39?

  • The Standard Mode (Default implementation) can encode uppercase letters (A through Z), digits (0 through 9) and a handful of special characters like the *, -, $, %, (Space), ., /, and +
  • The Full ASCII Mode or Extended Version can encode all 128 ASCII characters

The * (asterisk) is not a true encodable character, but is the start and stop 'symbol' for Code 39.

Sample of a Code 39 Barcode
Sample of a Code 39 Barcode

How to create Code 39 barcodes using Barcode Professional for

Note: Please refer to the Class Reference documentation for more information about the properties and methods stated in this document.
In order to get a Code 39 barcode image, please follow these steps:
  • Set the Symbology property to Code39
  • Set the AddChecksum property to False
  • By default, Code 39 can only encode uppercase letters (A through Z), digits (0 through 9) and a handful of special characters like the *, -, $, %, (Space), ., /, and +. If you need to encode all 128 ASCII characters, please set the Extended property to True
  • Setting up dimensions and quiet zones:
    • Set the BarWidth and BarHeight properties (Values are expressed in Inches)
    • Set the QuietZoneWidth property (Value is expressed in Inches)
    • Set the TopMargin and BottomMargin properties (Values are expressed in Inches)
  • Set the Code property with the value to encode.
  • Code 39 utilizes asterisk characters as Start & Stop symbols and they are shown in the human readable text of a barcode image. You can rid of those characters from the human readable text by setting up the DisplayStartStopChar property to False
Note: Please refer to the Class Reference documentation for more information about the properties and methods stated in this document.
In order to get a Code 39 barcode image, please follow these steps:
  • Set the Symbology property to Code39
  • Set the AddChecksum property to False
  • By default, Code 39 can only encode uppercase letters (A through Z), digits (0 through 9) and a handful of special characters like the *, -, $, %, (Space), ., /, and +. If you need to encode all 128 ASCII characters, please set the Extended property to True
  • Setting up dimensions and quiet zones:
    All values for barcode dimensions are expressed in INCHES by default. However, Barcode Professional supports other unit of measurement such as Millimeter, Centimeter, and Mils. For modifying the unit of measurement for barcoding, please set up the BarcodeUnit property as needed.
    • Set the BarWidth and BarHeight properties (Values are expressed in Inches)
    • Set the QuietZone property (Value is expressed in Inches)
  • Set the Code property with the value to encode.
  • Code 39 utilizes asterisk characters as Start & Stop symbols and they are shown in the human readable text of a barcode image. You can rid of those characters from the human readable text by setting up the DisplayStartStopChar property to False

Example of Code 39 barcode images

Code property = ABC 123456789 will produce the following barcode image:

Code 39 Barcode - Code property = ABC 123456789

Code property = (abc) 123456789 and Extended property = True will produce the following barcode image:

Code 39 Barcode - Code property = (abc) 123456789