The barcode mechanism is implemented via a system script in Fred using a class called Barcode. The barcode is generated as an image file in a folder on a server, via a Code workflow called by a method of the class.

The class allows creation of the barcode on the correct page (generally, either the first or the last page of the edition or, if using Beacon as advertising system, on any page) as it has been configured and, if so, will proceed to compute the barcode’s value for the current edition. It will then check if a picture that matches the barcode exists in a “Barcodes” (pre-defined) basket; if not, will create it by calling a workflow. The picture should be created in a folder polled by Back4 to log it in the pre-configured basket.

The script will then create a dummy picture and link it to the page at a specified position, associating it to the barcode file. When the picture has been processed by Back4, it will appear on the page. Of course, if the barcode already exists in the folder, it will be on the page straight away. The script can be configured to print a string (the ISSN number, the price…) above the barcode proper, as “local text” on page and group it to the picture.