What is the best way to store bar code in database

[FuzMic]

Hi gurus

When i scan a barcode in what form is the information being captured? How should the captured info be kept in a database.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Basically, depends on the scanner, but they usually translate the bar-code into a string of digits. If the digits are never more than 9 digits long, you COULD store them in a LONG - but I wouldn't bet on it not containing something that would disqualify use of any numeric format. So I would just shoot straight for a short text string long enough to hold the maximum number of expected digits (and any possible punctuation marks).

 

[theDBguy]

Hi. As far as I know, barcode data are usually stored as Text. To display the text value as a barcode, you use a barcode font.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

There's a Blog here which will give you some general information about barcodes:-

Barcodes - Nifty Access

Nifty Access Barcode Pagex Nifty Access Barcodes Home About Contact Barcodes Bar-codes along with a bar-code scanner can be a very useful feature to add to your database. You can quickly scan in serial numbers from mass deliveries of items / components. Bar codes are also very handy for managing...

www.niftyaccess.com

As already stated, you store the barcode information in a text field in a table.

Most barcode scanners are set up ready to go, one mistake people make is changing the barcode scanners settings. If you have a second-hand barcode scanner, it's settings may have been changed my previous owner. In this case it would probably be best to do a factory reset.

The settings are usually controlled by a set of barcodes supplied with the barcode scanner. Make sure you get those with it, if you buy a second-hand one.

 

[FuzMic]

Thank you friends for your input

 

[FuzMic]

Now I have a mental jam. Let's say I have the database with a string field holding all the barcodes. If I want to find If a particular code exist I presume I have to open an input form to hold the to be scanned string code. Once the code is in then I have to scan all existing record to see if it already exist. Is this the way to go? Any better way?

 

[arnelgp]

you can use BeforeUpdate event of the Textbox to check if the barcode already exists
on the table:

private sub textbox1_BeforeUpdate(Cancel As Integer)
If DCount("1", "yourBarCodeTableName", "barCodeField = '" & Me!textbox1 & "'") <> 0 Then
Cancel = True
Msgbox "Barcode already exists! Please try another code."
End If
end sub

 

[FuzMic]

Bro that is what I do if I use Item ID .. thanks for your time ... appreciate

 

[Pat Hartman]

Barcodes should be unique within an application so you should also add a unique index for the bar code field. This also speeds up and access to the record.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

I presume I have to open an input form to hold the to be scanned string code. Once the code is in then I have to scan all existing record to see if it already exist.

That's the way I do it, but @arnelgp has shown me another way!

Thanks Arnel!

 

[oleronesoftwares]

When i scan a barcode in what form is the information being captured? How should the captured info be kept in a database.

It depends on the bar code standard been used by the scanner, but as @The_Doc_Man as written, it's normally stored as strings of digits, but some can store as strings of lines or dots.

 

[RogerCooper]

Don't store barcodes as a number. Barcodes can start with 0.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

RogerCooper makes a good point. It would depend on usage, but if the 0 is significant, don't use a number to hold the code. If the presence or absence of the digit 0 makes a difference (vs. having a blank in place of the digit 0), then the digits are being used as characters rather than as parts of a number. When making formatting decisions, it is "intended usage" that must be your guide.