Printing UPC-A barcodes from VFP

[cope123]

I read a posting at tek-tips.com (

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1356245&page=9

) of a challenge to print UPC-A barcodes from VFP.
I believe I have exactly the same need.
I have valid 12 character fields in a data table, containing upc codes.
Using those character fields, I need to print UPC-A style codes using VFP label and/or report forms.
If there is a solution, can you share it. I am experiencing the frustration like Newtonm (programmer) must have been experiencing in April 2007.

A small sample program to read a valid (12 character) UPC-A numbers and print the barcode, may get me going.

 

[Mike Gagnon]

So UPC-A is a font (downloadable from the internet).
Once you downloaded the font and installed in your computer, which part do you have trouble with?

Mike Gagnon

If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first.
ReFox XI (www.mcrgsoftware.com)

 

[JRB-Bldr]

Printing barcodes in general is nothing more than using a different font to print out the UPC characters.

Those fonts are available on the web from a variety of sources.

The specific challenge with UPC barcodes is not the printing. It is the programatic calculation of the suffix CRC digit. Again the UPC-A algorithms are out on the web as well and can be utilized in your VFP programming. Once the CRC digit has been determined it is appended as the suffix to your original string of characters and printed in the normal manner.

If you are using a barcode look-up table to find the appropriate code to use for any individual item (a very normal approach) you can pre-calculate the CRC digits and have them 'ready to use' in the same look-up table or you can dynamically calculate them 'on-the-fly' just prior to printing.

You say you have a 12-digit code so you must already have the Manufacturer's code (the 1st digit), the 10-digit UPC code, AND the 1-digit CRC code already available. If you do, then you are 90% done already. You just need to get a font.

A number of UPC-A symbology descriptions are to be found on the web. One of them is:

http://www.morovia.com/education/symbology/upc-a.asp

NOTE - the descending barcode portions shown in some pictures is not a requirement of a legitimate printed UPC-A barcode. The entire code can be printed with the same length bars.

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr