PDF417 Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike many one-dimensional barcodes (like Code 128 or Code 39), PDF417 symbols cannot be printed by simply using a special font. While we do provide a custom font for printing a PDF417 symbol, this is done to simplify the task of printing the symbol. The majority of the work is performed by the encoder, a callable library routine. The encoder is a sophisticated piece of software that performs all of the necessary formatting, data compaction, and error correction that goes into a PDF417 symbol.

The PDF417 product consists of two components; a callable library routine, and a special PDF417 font. Your application program must call this library routine with the data you wish to "encode" in the PDF417 symbol. The library routine returns a buffer of characters (510 characters to be precise). Your application program then sends these characters to the printer, using the PDF417 font. The complexity of this final step depends on your printing environment.

The encoder has been tested as far back as MVS 5.2.2. The encoder may work on earlier version; however, we do not have the facilities for testing these versions. The C runtime libraries must also be present (e.g., as part of LE/370) and must be compiled in AMODE=31 (the default). Your calling program must also be running above the line to call the encoder directly.

The encoder is currently support by all versio ns of OS/390. The C runtime libraries must have been installed and compiled in AMODE=31 (the default). Your calling program must also be running above the line to call the encoder directly.

The PDF417 encoder is distributed as an application callable load library (written in C). COBOL II and C are directly supported. Other languages like RPG and PL/I, while not documented, should work with the encoder. Sample programs written in a variety of languages are provided.

Our PDF417 routine is shipped as a load library and can be linked either statically or dynamically with your application. When the library is first installed on your system it must be linked with your C runtime libraries. JCL for this step is provided.

The minimum version is V4R1M0.

Yes. The PDF417 encoder is distributed as an ILE service program. However, a special ILE interface programs have been provided for OPM and EPM environments that invoke the service program for the calling program. Sample COBOL/400 and RPG/400 programs are supplied which demonstrate the calling convention.

Yes. The PDF417 encoder is distributed as an ILE service program. The CRTPGM command is used to link the service program with your ILE modules. A sample ILE COBOL program is supplied which demonstrates the calling convention.

The PDF417 encoder returns a rectangular array of characters which need to be printed using our special PDF417 font. Furthermore, these lines must be printed using a line spacing that depends on the module size you choose for your output symbol. The simplest way on an AS/400 to print is using a DDS to an AFP capable printer. The DDS for the PDF417 record may look something like this:

A                                     CDEFNT(X0PD3309)
A           PDFOUT01      37A         POSITION(1.700  1.350)
A           PDFOUT02      37A         POSITION(1.730  1.350)
A           PDFOUT03      37A         POSITION(1.760  1.350)
A           PDFOUT04      37A         POSITION(1.790  1.350)
A           PDFOUT05      37A         POSITION(1.820  1.350)
A           PDFOUT06      37A         POSITION(1.850  1.350)
A           PDFOUT07      37A         POSITION(1.880  1.350)
A           PDFOUT08      37A         POSITION(1.910  1.350)
A           PDFOUT09      37A         POSITION(1.940  1.350)
A           PDFOUT10      37A         POSITION(1.970  1.350)
A           PDFOUT11      37A         POSITION(2.000  1.350)
A           PDFOUT12      37A         POSITION(2.030  1.350)
A           PDFOUT13      37A         POSITION(2.060  1.350)
A           PDFOUT14      37A         POSITION(2.090  1.350)
A           PDFOUT15      37A         POSITION(2.120  1.350)
A           PDFOUT16      37A         POSITION(2.150  1.350)
A           PDFOUT17      37A         POSITION(2.180  1.350)
A           PDFOUT18      37A         POSITION(2.210  1.350)
A           PDFOUT19      37A         POSITION(2.240  1.350)
A           PDFOUT20      37A         POSITION(2.270  1.350)
A           PDFOUT21      37A         POSITION(2.300  1.350)
A           PDFOUT22      37A         POSITION(2.330  1.350)
A           PDFOUT23      37A         POSITION(2.360  1.350)
A           PDFOUT24      37A         POSITION(2.390  1.350)
A           PDFOUT25      37A         POSITION(2.420  1.350)

Sample COBOL, C, and RPG programs are all provided for the AS/400.

Normally, the PDF417 encoder uses font rendering to print the PDF417 symbol. The actual "output" of the encoder library is simply a series of characters (usually 0's, 1's, 2's, 3's, and a single 5 ). This data is organized as 17 lines of 30 characters each. When printed using the provided PDF417 font, the correct symbol is "rendered" by the printer.

For example, the output of the encoder may look like the group of characters shown below. When rendered in the provided font, the result is the PDF417 symbol image shown to the right.

OOEDGEALCJBNALBHNIC LFB KCJILAOMADH OOEDGMDCCBOKINOGJKLDOGDF KOEAMOMADH OOEDFJGLCCHEMKHILLOJHGICLKE OIOMADH OOEDGMBOK ECAIJA OCBNDE HBKNOIOMADH OOEDGELAKDNAAMF DLCGJGMAFCJNAIOMADH OOEDGJOBCFENAIHENKHHLGNDFKJOIAOMADH OOEDECMNBB IA LLDNNLLGMJOBILNAOMADH OOEDGJDHCMADALKIHNOGMGHFLKNIFAOMADH OOEDECCNCMCMADDANLNDGENLLCODNMOMADH OOEDFHNGJAIJAHFJ LJF E FCBHLAIOMADH OOEDGDNAKACJACGM ODHDFBGBCJGAIOMADH OOEDEA OBHBOACHHFIHDNGCNIJHLOIOMADH

All AFP capable IPDS printers are supported (both 240 and 300/600 /1200 DPI). It is important to note though that your operating environment must have AFP support installed and operational (specifically, our software requires a PSF host).

3800 series printers are supported only if they are operating in page mode and AFP is present on the system.

We have the ability to generate fonts for most Xerox printers. In particular, 9700-series 5-word fonts are provided. While we can generate fonts for other printer series (e.g., 2700 and 3700) we do not have the ability to test these, nor can we necessarily deliver these fonts on the appropriate media. Call Silver Bay Software for individual evaluation of your printer environment.

We provide soft fonts for HP PCL printers. These fonts will work on virtually any HP compatible laser printer. Furthermore, we provide some basic documentation on downloading and printing with soft fonts. However, this documentation does not address generating PCL on all possible platforms (e.g., MVS and OS/400).