Barcode Plugin Development: Difference between revisions

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{{Discussion Index}} [[Category:Development]][[Category:EN]]
{{Discussion Index}} [[Category:Development]][[Category:EN]]
The [http://documentation.scribus.net/index.php/Barcode_Generator barcode plugin] does not currently provide all of the functionality that is available in the underlying library, [http://www.terryburton.co.uk/barcodewriter/ Barcode Writer in Pure PostScript] (BWIPP).


This page is intended to provide a collaboration point to coordinate improvements to the barcode plugin. Please extend, debate and discuss as appropriate.
This page is intended to provide a collaboration point to coordinate improvements to the [http://documentation.scribus.net/index.php/Barcode_Generator barcode plugin] which is based on [http://bwipp.terryburton.co.uk Barcode Writer in Pure PostScript] (BWIPP). Please extend, debate and discuss as appropriate.


==Simple tasks==
The BWIPP wiki provides [https://github.com/bwipp/postscriptbarcode/wiki/Developing-a-Frontend-to-BWIPP some recommendations for frontends].


* Switch from the monolithic flavour of BWIPP to the monolithic-package flavour which is functionally equivalent, more suited to distribution and DSC-conforming. Has been tested by replacing the existing barcode.ps and works as expected. Description of the available flavours [https://code.google.com/p/postscriptbarcode/#Download here].
==Scribus tasks==
* Hexify the data and options string input from Scribus to BWIPP to prevent PostScript injection by means of unescaped ")" or otherwise. See this discussion [https://bitbucket.org/whosaysni/elaphe/issue/18/make-codestring-optionstring-hexilified here].
* Add an advanced checkbox that allows the user to directly provide the options string to the library for advanced users who follow the [https://code.google.com/p/postscriptbarcode/wiki/Symbologies BWIPP reference].


==Moderate tasks==
* Create a new type of Scribus Barcode Item:
** The input is currently a vector item that can be ungrouped. Ungrouping makes little sense because it typically changes the relationship between the barcode elements, spoiling the meaning of the barcode.
** The imported object should initially have a fixed aspect ratio. Only occasionally does it make sense to re-scale the imported image since nominal symbol sizes are standardised.
** Ideally, double-clicking on such an item would bring up the barcode dialogue (not the Group Tab of the PP), so that a user can change the data, and the barcode drawing would be updated after clicking an "Update" button. For this, Scribus must store the value behind the created barcode: codeEdit, optionsEdit, lnColor, bgColor, txtColor (Checkbox states unnecessary as encoded in optionsEdit).


* Add support for the remaining barcode symbologies supported by BWIPP: ISMN, ISSN, GS1 DataBar barcodes, SSCC-18, EAN-14, GS1 Composite barcodes (EAN/UPC, GS1 DataBar and GS1-128), Data Matrix, GS1 DataMatrix, Aztec Code, PDF417, MicroPDF417, MaxiCode, Codablock F, Code 16K, Code 49, Code One, USPS PLANET, USPS Intelligent Mail, USPS FIM, Royal Mail, Royal TNT Post, Japan Post, Australia Post, Deutsche Post Identcode, Deutsche Post Leitcode, Pharmacode, Two-track Pharmacode, Code 32, Pharmazentralnummer, Code 39 Full ASCII, Code 93, Code 93 Full ASCII, Code 11, Codabar, Telepen, Channel Code, PosiCode, BC412, HIBC barcodes.
* Allow the barcode plugin to be driven from ScripterNG.
* To make the presentation of the list of barcode formats manageable we should sort the list of barcodes in the same/similar way as the web-based generator [http://www.terryburton.co.uk/barcodewriter/generator/ here].
* Use the BWIPP error reporting mechanism to provide specific error messages to users. For example, the following PS procedure can be used to invoke barcode.ps and on error halt with descriptive text (e.g. "BWIPP ERROR: EAN-13 must be 12 or 13 digits") sent to STDERR:
  %!PS
  errordict begin
  /handleerror {
    $error begin
    errorname dup length string cvs 0 6 getinterval (bwipp.) eq {
      (%stderr) (w) file
      dup (\nBWIPP ERROR: ) writestring
      dup errorname dup length string cvs writestring
      dup ( ) writestring
      dup errorinfo dup length string cvs writestring
      dup (\n) writestring
      dup flushfile end quit
    } if
    end //handleerror exec
  } bind def
  end
  % If necessary, set up anything specific to the environment here.
  (barcode.ps) run
 
==Harder tasks==
 
* Support new barcode formats automatically by scanning the barcode.ps metadata for BEGIN/END ENCODER blocks.
* Extract descriptions, example data and example options from the barcode.ps metadata by scanning for DESC, EXAM and EXOP stanzas within BEGIN/ENCODER ENCODER blocks.
 
Example barcode.ps metadata for an encoder:
 
  % --BEGIN ENCODER ean8--
  % --REQUIRES preamble raiseerror renlinear ean5 ean2--
  % --DESC: EAN-8
  % --EXAM: 02345673
  % --EXOP: includetext guardwhitespace
  % --RNDR: renlinear
  ... PostScript resource definition here ...
  % --END ENCODER ean8--


==Collaborative tasks==
==Collaborative tasks==


The following require close coordination between Scribus and BWIPP.
The following tasks require some degree of coordination between Scribus and [[User:Terryburton|Terry Burton]], the author of BWIPP.


* Extend the barcode.ps metadata to describe the options that are available for each encoder so that any frontends such as the Scribus plugin can be light on compiled in data and enhanced by simply replacing the barcode.ps file.
* Extend the barcode.ps metadata to describe the options that are available for each encoder so that any frontends such as the Scribus plugin can be light on compiled in data and enhanced with new format by simply replacing the barcode.ps file. [IN PROGRESS UPSTREAM - https://github.com/bwipp/postscriptbarcode/tree/master/libs]

Latest revision as of 11:02, 18 September 2023

This article is part of the Ongoing Discussions series.
Installation • Usability • MacOS • Fonts • Other

This page is intended to provide a collaboration point to coordinate improvements to the barcode plugin which is based on Barcode Writer in Pure PostScript (BWIPP). Please extend, debate and discuss as appropriate.

The BWIPP wiki provides some recommendations for frontends.

Scribus tasks

  • Create a new type of Scribus Barcode Item:
    • The input is currently a vector item that can be ungrouped. Ungrouping makes little sense because it typically changes the relationship between the barcode elements, spoiling the meaning of the barcode.
    • The imported object should initially have a fixed aspect ratio. Only occasionally does it make sense to re-scale the imported image since nominal symbol sizes are standardised.
    • Ideally, double-clicking on such an item would bring up the barcode dialogue (not the Group Tab of the PP), so that a user can change the data, and the barcode drawing would be updated after clicking an "Update" button. For this, Scribus must store the value behind the created barcode: codeEdit, optionsEdit, lnColor, bgColor, txtColor (Checkbox states unnecessary as encoded in optionsEdit).
  • Allow the barcode plugin to be driven from ScripterNG.

Collaborative tasks

The following tasks require some degree of coordination between Scribus and Terry Burton, the author of BWIPP.

  • Extend the barcode.ps metadata to describe the options that are available for each encoder so that any frontends such as the Scribus plugin can be light on compiled in data and enhanced with new format by simply replacing the barcode.ps file. [IN PROGRESS UPSTREAM - https://github.com/bwipp/postscriptbarcode/tree/master/libs]
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