Code 39

Barcode 39 is used for medical packaging and represents the PZNs (Pharmaceutical Central Number) code. This barcode does not only encode numbers, but also alphanumeric characters; it has no fixed length for the code nor is a check sum mandatory. It can encode text; however, it can not differentiate upper and lower case nor can it encode symbols.

This Code 39 was developed in 1975 by the company Intermac.

Code 39 is an alphanumeric code. Each character is built by 9 elements (5 lines and 4 spaces) where 3 are thick and 6 are thin. This allows the self checking of Code 39. Code 39 does not require a build-in check digit.

Advantages:
The main advantage is the wider character set. Code 39 can encode 43 different characters and has a large reading reliability and a widens spreading.
Code 39 is available with and without a check digit. BarcodeMaster offers you both options.

The disadvantage is the small information density.

Code 39 can be to produced in different proportions. The higher the proportion, the wider is the printed barcode with same contents, but even better is readability. BarcodeMaster always used the proportion 3,0:1.

Code 39 uses stars as a start and stop digit. These stars (*) are normally not shown in the text line below the code. But sometimes you can find a Code 39 with the "start/stop star" in the text line; in order to create this code do not have to enter the stars: If the text line shows *1234* you just have to enter 1234 because the stars are a fixed part of Code 39.