PDF417

Symbol Technologies Inc. developed PDF417 as a generic high capacity 2d barcode. It's a stacked symbology capable of holding a maximum of 1100 bytes, 1800 printable ascii characters or 2700 digits of data. The PDF in PDF417 stands for 'Portable Data File' and the 417 refers to the structurs of a single codeword. Each codeword consists of four bars and four spaces in an area 17 times the size of the narrowest bar.

PDF417 is designed to physically attach data files to objects. As such, it has found usage in a large number of fields including health care, government, identification, retailing, manufacturing and transportation.

For relatively safe environments in which the barcode is unlikely to be damaged, Truncated PDF417 can be used. Truncated PDF417 removes the right hand indications completely and shortens the stop pattern to a single narrow bar.

PDF417 activex control supports standard and truncated PDF417 bar code.