The following barcode symbologies require Special Function Parameters:

•Data Matrix

•MaxiCode

•PDF417

•QR Code

This should be set in the Preamble field of the barcode as a text-hex string, e.g.

 8010FF020000

Please see the IBM AFP - BCOCA Reference (AFPC-0005) for a detailed explanation of the Special Function Parameters for each barcode symbology. The following is a brief overview.

Data Matrix

(IBM AFP - BCOCA Reference v6 p75)

10 bytes - e.g. 80000000000000010100 - this is the value that will be used as the default if no Preamble is specified.

Row size

For a Data Matrix symbol, this parameter specifies the desired number of modules in each row including the finder pattern. There must be an even number of modules per row and an even number of rows. There are square symbols with sizes from 10x10 to 144x144, and rectangular symbols with sizes from 8x18 to 16x48 not including quiet zones. The following table lists the complete set of supported sizes. Exception condition EC-0F00 exists if an unsupported size value is specified. If X'0000' is specified for this parameter, an appropriate row size

Row Count

For a Data Matrix symbol, this parameter specifies the desired number of rows including the finder pattern. Exception condition EC-0F00 exists if an unsupported size value is specified. If X'0000' is specified for this parameter, an appropriate number of rows will be used based on the amount of symbol data will be used based on the amount of symbol data.

MaxiCode

(IBM AFP - BCOCA Reference v6 p80)

5 bytes -- e.g. 8002000000 - this is the value that will be used as the default if no Preamble is specified.

Note: MaxiCode requires the encoded barcode data to be in specific formats.

PDF417

(IBM AFP - BCOCA Reference v6 p86)

Variable number of bytes - e.g. 8010FF020000 - this is the value that will be used as the default if no Preamble is specified.

Data symbol characters per row

This parameter specifies the number of data symbol characters per row. Each row consists of a start pattern, a left row indicator codeword, 1 to 30 data symbol characters, a right row indicator codeword (omitted in a truncated symbol), and a stop pattern. The aspect ratio of the barcode symbol is determined by the number of data symbol characters and the number of rows. Exception condition EC-0F06 exists if an invalid number of data symbol characters per row is specified. Because of the Error Checking and Correction (ECC) algorithm and the data compaction method used by the printer when the symbol is built, the number of data symbol characters is not necessarily the same as the number of characters in the barcode data.

Desired number of rows

This parameter specifies the desired number of rows in the barcode symbol. From 3 to 90 rows can be specified or X'FF' can be specified to instruct the printer to generate the minimum number of rows necessary. The number of rows times the number of data symbol characters per row cannot exceed 928. Exception condition EC-0F07 exists if an invalid number of rows is specified. The actual number of rows generated depends on the amount of data to be encoded and on the security level selected. If more rows than necessary are specified, the symbol is padded to fill the requested number of rows. If not enough rows are specified, enough extra rows will be inserted by the printer to produce the symbol. If too much data is specified to fit in the barcode symbol, exception condition EC-0F08 exists.

QR Code

(IBM AFP - BCOCA Reference v6 p92)

9 bytes - e.g. 80010C000000000000 - this is the value that will be used as the default if no Preamble is specified.

Note: QR Code barcodes are not currently supported in Spool-a-matic PDF; you need to use the default AFP2PDF module which is supported from 6.2 of the Server software. See Work with PPD parameters for details.

Size of the symbol

This parameter specifies the desired size of the symbol; each version specifies a particular number of modules per row and column. See the table in the BCOCA Reference for further information.