Chapter 15 Advanced Data Formatting
Introduction
Advanced Data Formatting (ADF) is a means of customizing data before transmission to the host device to suit
particular requireme nts.
To implement ADF, scan a related series of bar codes which begin on page 15-8, or use the 123Scan utility (see
Chapter 12, 12 3Sc an) which allows programming the digital scanner with ADF rules.
Avoid using ADF formatting with bar codes containing more than 60 character s. To add a prefix or suffix value for
such bar codes, use Prefix/Suffix Values and Scan Data Transmission Format on page 14- 5. Using ADF with
longer bar codes tra nsmits the bar code in segments of length 252 or less (depending on the host selected), and
applies the rule to each segment.
Rules: Criteria Linked to Actions
ADF uses rules to customize data. These rules perform detailed actions when the data meets cert ain criteria. One
rule may consist of single or multiple criteria applied to single or multiple actions.
For instance, a data formatting rule co uld be:
Criteria: When scan data is Code 39, length 12, and data at the start position is
the string “129 ”,
Actions: pad all sends with zeros to length 8,
send all data up to X,
send a space.
If the digital scanner scans a Code 39 bar code of 1299X1559828, it transmits the following: 00001299<space>.
If the digital scanner scans a Code 39 bar code of 1299X15598, it ignores this rule because the bar code didn’t
meet the length criteria.
The rule specifies the editing conditions and requirements before dat a transmission occurs.
NOTE If using the wand interface with the digital scanner, in order to use ADF rules to format data, first enable
Convert All to Code 39 on page 10-7.