DataMatrix

One of the best known 2D codes is the DataMatrix code and it consists of 4 main components:

• Data area: This area contains the data in codified form.
• Closed limitation line: This is the corner that is represented in normal alignment to the left and below the data area with an uninterrupted line. Based on this, the code and its alignment is recognized while scanning.
• Open borderline: This is the opposite corner of the closed limitation line. These lines above and to the right consist of alternating black and white dots. These are used to the determination of lines and columns while scanning.
• Quiet zone: This area surrounds the code. This area must be at least so wide as one dot of the code.

The development of the DataMatrix code began in the 1980s. Today, there are different stages of development, which differ in terms of error correction. These are named ECC, which stands for Error Checking and Correction Algorithm. There are basically two versions: ECC 000-140 and ECC 200. The most current and recommended variant is ECC 200 (Reed-Solomon error correction). ActiveBarcode uses ECC 200 to create DataMatrix codes. A DataMatrix code can still be read when up to 25% of it is covered or damaged.

A DataMatrix code can encode up to 3,116 numeric digits or 2,335 alphanumeric characters. The size of the symbol used depends on the amount of data to be encoded.

In ActiveBarcode you can choose between different options for creating a DataMatrix:

• DataMatrix (Type #37)
  ActiveBarcode always selects the best symbol size that fits for the data to encode. The symbol sizes 12x12 and 8x18 and the symbol size 20x20 and 12x36 have the same number of data they can encode. ActiveBarcode always uses the square versions of the DataMatrix Symbol in this case.
  
  
• DataMatrix Square (Type #42)
  ActiveBarcode always selects the optimal square symbol size for encoding the data.
  
  
• DataMatrix Rectangular (Type #43)
  ActiveBarcode always selects the optimal rectangular, non square symbol size for encoding the data.
  
  
• DataMatrix <Symbol size> (Types #44 to #73)
  The symbol size is selected by the user the type. For example selecting the type DataMatrix 18x18 will result in a code with a symbol size of 18x18.
  
  

Find a list of the DataMatrix symbol sizes, complete with examples here.

More information about this can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DataMatrix.

Technical data

Valid characters:	ASCII 1-255
Length:	Variable with no fixed length.
Check digit:	Calculated according to Reed-Solomon-Error correction ActiveBarcode calculates the check digit automatically.
Type#:	DataMatrix - #37 - CODEDATAMATRIX List of all symbol sizes
Info:	This barcode types has no human readable text based on the specification. The ShowText property has no effect, when using one of this codes.