What is Codabar?
Codabar is an older linear barcode designed for reliable printing with relatively simple equipment. It remains recognizable in legacy library, laboratory and healthcare workflows.
How Codabar is structured
Codabar uses designated start and stop characters around the data. The symbology supports digits and a small set of punctuation characters.
Where it is encountered
Historical uses include blood banks, photo labs, parcel applications and libraries. New systems often choose more modern symbologies unless compatibility requires Codabar.
Migration considerations
Before replacing Codabar, verify every scanner, application and trading partner that depends on the current format. Legacy symbologies often persist because downstream systems expect them.
Practical implementation advice
Barcode artwork that looks correct on screen can still fail after printing. Preserve quiet zones, avoid non-uniform scaling, choose an appropriate X-dimension or module size, and test the final printed symbol with the scanners and software used in the real workflow.