README for Barcode::Code128 - Generate CODE 128 bar codes

DESCRIPTION:
    Barcode::Code128 generates bar codes using the CODE 128 symbology.
    It can generate images in PNG or GIF format using the GD package,
    or it can generate a text string representing the barcode that you
    can render using some other technology if desired.

    The intended use of this module is to create a web page with a bar
    code on it, which can then be printed out and faxed or mailed to
    someone who will scan the bar code.  The application which spurred
    its creation was an expense report tool, where the employee
    submitting the report would print out the web page and staple the
    receipts to it, and the Accounts Payable clerk would scan the bar
    code to indicate that the receipts were received.

    The default settings for this module produce a large image that
    can safely be FAXed several times and still scanned easily.  If
    this requirement is not important you can generate smaller image
    using optional parameters.

    If you wish to generate images with this module you must also have
    the GD.pm module (written by Lincoln Stein, and available from
    CPAN) installed.  Version 1.20 or higher of GD generates a PNG
    file, due to issues with the GIF patent.  If you want to create a
    GIF, you must use version 1.19 or earlier of GD.  However, most
    browsers have no trouble with PNG files.

    If the GD module is not present, you can still use the module, but
    you will not be able to use its functions for generating images.
    You can use the barcode() method to get a string of "#" and " "
    (hash and space) characters, and use your own image-generating
    routine with that as input.

    To use the the GD module, you will need to install it along with
    this module.  You can obtain it from the CPAN (Comprehensive Perl
    Archive Network) repository of your choice under the directory
    "authors/id/LDS".  Visit http://www.cpan.org/ for more information
    about CPAN.  The GD home page is:
	    http://stein.cshl.org/WWW/software/GD/GD.html

EXAMPLE:
    use Barcode::Code128;
    $object = new Barcode::Code128;
    print "Content-Type: image/png\n\n";
    $object->png('CODE 128');

AUTHOR: William R. Ward, wrw@bayview.com

TERMS: This module is placed into the public domain.  You are free to
    use, modify, or redistribute this module in any way for commercial
    or other uses.  My only request is that if you change it, please
    submit copies of your changed code (or diffs) so that I can
    incorporate them into the version on CPAN.  Also, in order to
    reduce the likelihood of confusion please do not distribute a
    modified version of this module unless you change the name first.

HISTORY:
    Version 2.01, 17-Jul-2007 - Fix tests as reported in
	    http://rt.cpan.org/Public/Bug/Display.html?id=14850

    Version 2.0, 28-May-2001 - Generate either PNG or GIF, or neither,
	    depending on what version of GD is installed; lots of
	    optional parameters added; minor bug fixes

    Version 1.11, 29-Oct-1999 - Fix bug in test script

    Version 1.10, 26-Oct-1999 - Generate PNG instead of GIF files

    Version 1.01, 19-Jul-1999 - Bug fix to deal with inputs ending in zero

    Version 1.00, 8-Mar-1999 - Initial version.