Re: INFORMIX and Barcodes Info

Hi, I implemented a barcoded stock management system at my last employers. We used Symbol kit to do the barcode reading, VLD laser scanners for the hi-volumne reads in the warehouse and depatch areas and contact wands in the factory. The VLD scanners were plugged directly into Wyse 60 terminals and their output was treated like keyboard input so there was no special programming required. However, these scanners allow to to attach prefixes and suffixes to the codes read so I set up my app to be menu driven with a single keystroke needed to allow entry of one data item and then programmed the scanner to send and ascii "I" (for Issue), then the barcode then ESC to end the input. The program acted as though there was just a fast keyboard operator at the terminal. The conact wands were liked together on an RS432 net and just the controller was connected to the computer via one RS232 port. I wrote a 4GL routine to scan each of the barcode "terminals" for input and then set up a dialogue with any terminal that had input waiting. Because the barcode terminals we bought had a 2x16 line LCD display my program was able to interact with the user, providing prompts and error messages. The program for managing the barcode terminals, which ran in the background, had 2 (very) short 'C' routines in it which were responible for collecting data from and sending data to the barcode controller. These routines were necessary as 4GL has no way, that I'm aware of, to communicate directly with a device. If there is any "practical" advice I can offer then please contact me. ---------------------------------------------------- These opinions are mine; if you want them, take them ---------------------------------------------------- Stuart Hemming | shemminga@cix.compulink.co.uk The Data Base | +(44) 1602 250005 Nottingham UK | ----------------------------------------------------