Datamatrix confusion

[wwbennett01]

I'm trying to add a Datamatrix barcode to a document. In the documentation it just states that you just put in the data string you want and it will generate it. In the example code there are three items in parens. ((01)09521234543213(21)4X7Y1Z1(10)00123(99)EXAMPLE)
I try without the parnes and I get:
ERROR: bwipp.GS1aiMissingOpenParen
OFFENDING COMMAND: --nostringval--

Since I don't know what should be in the Parens, I try it will just (99) and I get:
ERROR: typecheck
OFFENDING COMMAND: ashow
STACK:
/mode
/args
I'm trying to generate a 25 character barcode, what am I missing?

[terryburton]

what am I missing?

A careful, accurate and descriptive introduction to what you are trying to achieve.

I'm trying to add a Datamatrix barcode to a document. In the documentation it just states that you just put in the data string you want and it will generate it.

Which documentation exactly?

In the example code there are three items in parens. ((01)09521234543213(21)4X7Y1Z1(10)00123(99)EXAMPLE)

I count four?

I try without the parens and I get:

<...snip...>

Why did you try without parens?

Your description boils down to this: Here are a few random snippets without any real context, and the only context I'm going to give is to "generate a 25 character barcode". I did random things (like remove the parens, just because) and it still didn't work. How to make it work?

• What document are you editing?
• What instructions are you following?
• For what purpose are you creating a barcode?
• What is the type and source of your barcode data? It looks like GS1 AI syntax data, which is structured and not freeform. You can't just remove bits.
• What result did you expect?

Please demonstrate that you have understood the problem that you are trying to solve by narrowing things down to a single carefully considered issue.

As it is, an adequate response may or may not require that the responder teach you about the different barcode types (carriers/symbologies), application-specific variants such as GS1 Data Matrix, structure data formats including GS1 Application Identifier syntax, PostScript document editing, ... Lots of general things that are not specific to your use of BWIPP.

There's really no way to tell what details you require. Start here: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#beprecise

[wwbennett01]

What document are you editing?

It is a cover sheet of a print bundle,

What instructions are you following?
https://github.com/bwipp/postscriptbarcode/wiki/Data-Matrix in the example section.
Additionally, there is an example in the sample.ps that contains the ((01)09521234543213(21)4X7Y1Z1(10)00123(99)EXAMPLE)

For what purpose are you creating a barcode?

the barcode is read by the automatic envelope inserter to control it's functioning.

What is the type and source of your barcode data? It looks like GS1 AI syntax data, which is structured and not freeform. You can't just remove bits.

I used an i-Text Java based utility to apply Data-Matrix bar codes onto PDFs. the utility just required the content of the 25 character data string. These barcodes control the inserter and track documents through the mailing process. The start sheet is applied using another process using a postscript template, This barcode instructs the insterter to divert the page and not put it into an envelope.

What result did you expect?

I have a ASCII data string of 0101124012200010000000001 that I wanted to be printed as a Datamatrix barcode on the start sheet to be read by the inserter.

[wwbennett01]

Also I'm using Ghostscript to process the postscript to pcl.

[terryburton]

What instructions are you following?

https://github.com/bwipp/postscriptbarcode/wiki/Data-Matrix in the example section.
Additionally, there is an example in the sample.ps that contains the ((01)09521234543213(21)4X7Y1Z1(10)00123(99)EXAMPLE)

The sample to which you refer is for GS1 DataMatrix with structured data in Application Identifier standard format, and not generic Data Matrix with unstructured data. Yet the wiki documentation to which you refer is for Data Matrix.

You'll need to work out which barcode type you need and ensure that code is generated that calls the correct encoder.

What result did you expect?

I have a ASCII data string of 0101124012200010000000001 that I wanted to be printed as a Datamatrix barcode on the start sheet to be read by the inserter.

Based on the description of your use case and sample input, you appear to be working with unstructured (non-GS1) data and therefore require the generic Data Matrix symbology (datamatrix encoder).

The resulting PostScript invocation will look something like:

0 0 moveto
(0101124012200010000000001)
()
/datamatrix /uk.co.terryburton.bwipp findresource exec

Note that it is referring to /datamatrix and not /gs1datamatrix.

But the detail may be different depending on exactly how your document builder utility has generated the PostScript.

[wwbennett01]

This is what my original call looked like:
230 2000 moveto (0101124012200010000000001) () /gs1datamatrix /uk.co.terryburton.bwipp findresource exec
0 -10 rmoveto (GS1 DataMatrix) show

[wwbennett01]

I see your answer and now see my error. Thank you for taking the time to point out my misunderstanding.

[wwbennett01]

Now I understand what happened, the sample.ps code does not have the simple datamatrix code and the gs1datamatrix was the only thing close to it. Details are important. Thank you again.

[wwbennett01]

Sorry but still having an issue. The call looks like this:
230 2000 moveto (0101124012200010000000001) () /datamatrix /uk.co.terryburton.bwipp findresource exec
and I get this:
ERROR: stackunderflow
OFFENDING COMMAND: ashow
STACK:
/mode

[wwbennett01]

Thanks for the reply. I get the error from your call but no error when I remove the call. The only thing I can think of is somehow your code is making a call and some code in my file is intercepting it. The original PS code was created from a Microsoft Word source. There are a lot of extra code included that I don't know what is for so that could be the problem, The only place in my source the has ashow is just below %%BeginResource: file Pscript_Win_Basic 5.0 0 d/A/ashow I know I can't have you debug this code, so at this time I don't think we can use your utility. Thanks for all your help. Bill Bennett IT Specialist ll | CalPERS Enterprise Solutions Development Division | (916) 795-1311 From: Terry Burton ***@***.***> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2024 2:00 PM To: bwipp/postscriptbarcode ***@***.***> Cc: Bennett, William ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: [**External**] - Re: [bwipp/postscriptbarcode] Datamatrix confusion (Discussion #258) CAUTION: This email originated from outside the CalPERS organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. OFFENDING COMMAND: ashow The ashow command is not being executed by BWIPP with that input, so your problem is elsewhere. - Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#258 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BFQ5FA6BIBC4S3GBC36HON3YP3OONAVCNFSM6AAAAABCFT7PYSVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43SRDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHM4DEMJTHA2DC>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.******@***.***>>

[terryburton]

You have understood the likely cause but have not attempted to solve your own problem before giving up, for example by searching the BWIPP documentation... Most problems encountered are rarely unique.

The first FAQ addresses exactly this issue: https://github.com/bwipp/postscriptbarcode/wiki/FAQs

If the recommended approach doesn't work then you can consider contracting me to work on your document template, in which case contact me via email or LinkedIn