xCODE is a family of barcode generators that can be easily integrated into many Ms-Dos applications. The key feature, besides the variety of linear symbologies supported and the simple usage, is speed; the generators for laser printers, by using pattern definition, are way faster than most dedicated printers, if the quantity of barcodes to be printed is high.

SZP produces also BCG, a new bar code generator for the Windows family of operating systems (9x/ ME/ NT/ 2000/ XP / Vista). This software can be used to create, besides linear barcodes, circular barcodes that can be used to label cd-roms and DVDs for rental.
If you need to use barcodes directly inside your Windows applications, the TrueType barcode font collection BCF can be the right solution to your needs.

Among the fastest barcode generators for Dos, the xCode software supports Laserjet or PCL compatible page printers, or IBM Proprinter II, Epson LQ-FX dot-matrix printer. 
The most widespread symbologies are all supported (EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, 3/9, 9/3, 128, Codabar-Monarch, Industrial, Interleaved 2/5, Matrix), with or without standard check digit, and can be printed in 4 directions. The optional readable text can be centered, left-aligned,  right-aligned or follow the barcode; additional text can be printed above the barcodes (centered, left or right-aligned). 
An extended notation allows to print sequence of barcodes or repeated barcodes. The interactive configuration program allows to save/load settings using external files; default settings can be saved directly inside the executables. The scripting language can be used to pilot the generators from other applications.

Requirements:

• PC IBM compatible, 80286+, DOS 3.3+ or Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP;
• printer Epson LX/LQ, IBM Proprinter II or PCL compatible.

PATCODE (xCode for PCL5e printers)

PATCODE is a barcode generator designed for the greatest performance on recent laser printers; as a matter of fact, the barcodes are created by using pattern definitions at 300 dpi; this results in faster printing speeds and less data sent to the printer, compared to raster printing.

PATCODE works on any Laserjet printer (HP IIIP, 4/5/6 family or beyond) and all printers PCL5-compatible that supports user-defined pattern.

Features:

• Barcode printing (with full supported character set) using the following symbologies: EAN-13, EAN-8, INDUSTRIAL, INDUSTRIAL 5 BAR, BCD MATRIX, MATRIX 3 BAR, MSI, INTERLEAVED, UPC-A, UPC-E, CODABAR/MONARCH, 39, 93, 128.
• Large and narrow bar widths separately configured by the user.
• Supports Interleaved 2/5 with even length (pad with '0' on the left) or with NULL character.
• Codabar start letter (a/b/c/d) user selectable.
• Check digit calculated according to standard algorithm for every barcode.
• MSI with single or double check digit.
• Check digit can be turned on or off, if the user wishes to use a specific, custom algorithm.
• Readable text can be centered, left-aligned,  right-aligned or follow the barcode, and can also be suppressed.
• Custom text on multiple lines can be added above the barcode and can be centered, left-aligned or right-aligned.
• Single/repeated barcodes or barcodes in sequence (or both) can be printed.
• The height of barcodes can be set (mm).
• Print directly to parallel ports 1, 2 or 3 (with or without stop at every page) or to a file.
• Full control over the page: printable area, position for first code, horizontal and vertical separation for barcodes, number of labels per row, number of rows per page, horizontal and vertical compensation offsets, distance for readable and additional text from barcode, font pitch, end of page.
• Barcodes can be printed in 4 directions (right to left, left to right, up-down, bottom-up).
• Settings can be saved to separate files and restored from there, so that multiple complete configurations can be easily selected.
• The generator can be controlled using scripts, to overcome Dos limitations on command-line length and to use the generator with other applications.
   

QRASTCOD (xCode for PCL5 printers)

QRASTCOD is a barcode generator designed to work with all PCL5-compatible printers; barcode generation takes place by creating a raster image: the first horizontal line of the barcode is sent, the following lines are repeated by using delta-row compression; the performance is excellent, very near to that of PATCODE; QRASTCOD has the advantage of being able to generate directly barcodes up to 600 dpi resolution (without using resolution-enhancement technology built-in the printer).

Features:

Look at the features for PATCODE; besides:

• Printer resolution can be set to 75, 150, 300 or 600 dpi.
   

BCODE (xCode for dot-matrix printers)

BCODE is a barcode generator designed to work with most dot-matrix printer, being compatible with EPSON-LX, EPSON-LQ and IBM PROPRINTER II printers. The features are very similar to those of laser barcode generators; BCODE lacks page control, because of intrinsic limitations imposed by the hardware (line printers). Keep in mind that print heads are very stressed when printing barcodes; print head consumption is almost twice than when printing standard text. Besides, printing should be closely monitored by an operator because, when the ink on the ribbon becomes very low, the contrast for the printed barcodes could become too low, thus leading to reading problems. Moreover, paper jamming is more likely and paper re-alignment might be needed after printing a certain quantity of labels.

Features:

• Barcode printing (with full supported character set) using the following symbologies: EAN-13, EAN-8, INDUSTRIAL, INDUSTRIAL 5 BAR, BCD MATRIX, MATRIX 3 BAR, MSI, INTERLEAVED, UPC-A, UPC-E, CODABAR/MONARCH, 39, 93, 128.
• Supports Interleaved 2/5 with even length (pad with '0' on the left) or with NULL character.
• Codabar start letter (a/b/c/d) user selectable.
• Check digit calculated according to standard algorithm for every barcode.
• MSI with single or double check digit.
• Check digit can be turned on or off, if the user wishes to use a specific, custom algorithm.
• Readable text can be centered, left-aligned,  right-aligned or follow the barcode, and can also be suppressed.
• Custom text on multiple lines can be added above the barcode and can be centered, left-aligned or right-aligned.
• Draft or HQ printing quality for characters can be selected both for readable text and for free text above the barcode.
• Single/repeated barcodes or barcodes in sequence (or both) can be printed.
• The height of barcodes can be set (in characters).
• Print directly to parallel ports 1, 2 or 3 (with or without stop at every page) or to a file.
• Two print densities, to improve quality on HQ printers.
• Interline unit and vertical barcode separation user selectable.
• Number of labels per row, horizontal barcode separation user selectable.
• Position of first barcode in the line can be freely set.
• Settings can be saved to separate files and restored from there, so that multiple complete configurations can be easily selected.
• The generator can be controlled using scripts, to overcome Dos limitations on command-line length and to use the generator with other applications.

	Demo version for xCode
	User manual for xCode
	Data sheet for xCode

• When is it advisable to use xCode and when is it more appropriate to choose a Windows software, like BCF or BCG?
• Does xCode work under Windows?
• Can xCode be used to print on network devices?
• Can BCG create barcodes having the following features...?
• I am not sure about which settings I should change to create the barcodes I need; what can I do?
• Is it possible to invoke xCode from other programs?
• The target barcode which I need is not exactly the same created by xCode; what can I do?
• Which symbologies are reccomended for the barcodes?
• How do you suggest to encode information?
• Which printers are reccomended for printing barcodes?
• Why I cannot print a full page of barcodes?
• I have problems aligning prints on paper with my dot matrix printer; any suggestions?
• Can we buy printing media (labels) together with the software?
• What does it mean that each copy of xCode is "serialized"?

For further information (e.g. demo version) write to szp@zanella-hifi.com or fill in the form below; many useful answers can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

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