Specifications

Table Of Contents
Code 49 Field Data Character Set
The ^FD data sent to the printer when using starting modes 0 to 5 is based on the
Code 49 Internal Character Set. This is shown in the first column of the Code 49
table on the previous page. The characters
:;<=>?
are special Code 49 control characters.
Valid field data must be supplied when using modes 0 to 5. Shifted characters are
sent as a two-character sequence of a shift character followed by a character in the
unshifted character set.
For example, to encode a lowercase “a,” send a “Shift 2 (>)” followed by an
uppercase “A.” If interpretation line printing is selected, a lowercase “a” will print
in the interpretation line. This will reflect what the output from the scanner will
read. Code 49 uses uppercase alphanumeric characters only.
If an invalid sequence is detected, the Code 49 formatter will stop interpreting field
data and print a symbol with the data up to the invalid sequence. The following are
examples of invalid sequences:
Terminating numeric mode with any characters other than 0 through 9 or a Numeric
Space.
Starting in Mode 4 (Regular Alphanumeric Shift 1) and the first field data character is
not in the Shift 1 set.
Starting in Mode 5 (Regular Alphanumeric Shift 2) and the first field data character is
not in the Shift 2 set.
Sending Shift 1 followed by a character not in the Shift 1 set.
Sending Shift 2 followed by a character not in the Shift 2 set.
Sending two Shift 1 or Shift 2 control characters.
Advantages of Using the Code 49 Automatic Mode
Using the default (automatic mode) completely eliminates the need for selecting the
starting mode or manually performing character shifts. The automatic mode
analyzes the incoming ASCII string, determines the proper mode, performs all
character shifts, and compacts the data for maximum efficiency.
Numeric mode will only be selected or shifted when five or more continuous digits
are found. Numeric packaging provides no space advantage for numeric strings
consisting of fewer than eight characters.
ZPL II Programming Guide Volume One: Command Reference for X.10
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