RE: Bar Code input into SE SQL

Macris, I think you will struggle to do this using a PERFORM screen. If one scan of the 2d barcode only retrieves the 4 columns then you will still need to manually do the INSERT before reading the next barcode . If however your 2d barcode contains an array of 4 columns all of which are transmitted on a successful read the form will be unable to cope. In this last case you can get round it using 4gl and an array. I would suggest using 4gl anyway as scanners have a very annoying habit of misreading data and I want to validate the values before sticking them into the DB. Chris -----Original Message----- From: Spyros Macris [mailto:spyros@phillyc.com] Sent: 02 August 2000 23:04 To: McKenzie Chris-WCM001c; informix-list Subject: Re: Bar Code input into SE SQL Chris, Great information! A) However, lets say a 2D bar code has 4 columns of information in one swipe. Is a Perform screen "smart" enough to work as a quasi array? Only 4GL has true array capability. Thanks again. McKenzie Chris-WCM001c wrote: > Macris > > See below > > Chris. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Spyros Macris [mailto:spyros@phillyc.com] > Sent: 02 August 2000 12:12 > To: informix-list > Subject: Bar Code input into SE SQL > > My environment is Informix-SQL Version 7.20.UE2 and SE Version 7.24 UC8 > Solaris Sparc 7 on an Ultra 10. > > I have 5 dumb terminals connected to the system. > > 1) Would I have to use a PERFORM screen, dumb terminal, and a bar code > reader together to input data from a bar code into the database? > > -- We tried holding the barcode upto the screen but it didn't work ;-) > Any IFMX screen will treat the input from the barcode reader as though it > came from the keyboard. > It doesn't need to be a dumb terminal - terminal emulation screens work > fine. > > 2) Is it possible to use a remote scanner not attached to a dumb > terminal? > > -- Yes > > 3) Would each column in the PERFORM screen have to match the appropriate > UPC style 1-dimensional bar code? > > -- Yes as stated in answer to 1 the data you read in must match the field. > Just as if you had typed it in. > > 4) Would using the 2-dimensional bar code - like United Parcel Service - > be incompatible with a PERFORM screen because there are multiple columns > of data in one code? > > -- 2d barcodes can be processed just as easily but you must set up your form > to accept ALL the values that can be scanned in ie using an array. We use > 2d PDF417 here with few problems. > > -- On a general note if you are not sure of the data that you will be > reading you could always fire it into a file for some preprocessing before > loading into your system. > > Thank you very much.