Data Matrix ECC 200

The datamatrix entry implements classic Data Matrix ECC 200 symbols in both square and rectangular shapes. The current registry reports:

id	Write	Read	Scope
datamatrix	✅	✅	Classic ECC 200 square and rectangular symbols.

DMRE (Data Matrix Rectangular Extension) is not included. A symbol that needs DMRE-specific geometry or features is outside this implementation even if its payload looks like an ordinary Data Matrix payload.

Encoding

The public writer supports automatic or forced shape selection, ASCII compaction, numeric pairs, Base256 binary payloads and the GS1 first-position FNC1 option:

import {
  encodeDataMatrix,
} from '@sythos/js_barcode_universal/datamatrix';

const retail = encodeDataMatrix('0101234567890128', {
  shape: 'square',
  gs1: true,
});

const binary = encodeDataMatrix(new Uint8Array([0x00, 0xff, 0x7f]), {
  encoding: 'base256',
  shape: 'rectangular',
});

The exact capacity depends on the selected symbol size and encoding. With shape: 'any' (the default family behavior), the encoder can choose a fitting classic symbol. Use square or rectangular when the physical marking area is known and the payload fits that family.

Decoding

The matrix decoder validates the finder border, reads the data region and applies ECC 200 Reed–Solomon correction. The current high-level decoder handles ASCII and Base256 codewords. C40, Text, X12 and EDIFACT input symbols are not currently decoded by the high-level payload path, so they must not be advertised as supported merely because the symbol geometry is recognized.

import {
  decodeDataMatrix,
} from '@sythos/js_barcode_universal/datamatrix';

const result = decodeDataMatrix(matrix);
console.log(result.text, result.gs1 === true);

For an image, use the detector or the root reader:

import { decode } from '@sythos/js_barcode_universal';

const results = decode(imageDataLike, {
  formats: ['datamatrix'],
  profile: 'camera',
});

The detector supports axis-aligned square and rectangular symbols. In the camera profile it evaluates the fixed eight in-plane orientations at 45-degree steps. Arbitrary perspective, heavily skewed photographs, curved labels, severe occlusion and multi-symbol scenes are not guaranteed capabilities.

GS1 DataMatrix boundary

gs1: true tells the writer to use the GS1 FNC1 convention in the first position. That is a data-encoding choice, not a complete business-level GS1 validator. Application Identifiers, field lengths, domain rules and actions after decoding remain the caller’s responsibility. Use the shared GS1 helpers described in GS1, EAN and UPC when the payload is an element string that the project’s parser knows.

Choosing Data Matrix instead of another 2D format

Data Matrix is a good fit when the marking area is compact or rectangular and the application wants ECC 200 rather than QR’s finder-pattern family. It is not a compatibility layer for DMRE, QR, Micro QR or a vendor-specific symbol. Choose the exact format and keep the read allow-list equally explicit:

import { decode, encode, toImageData } from '@sythos/js_barcode_universal';

const matrix = encode('DM-ECC200', {
  format: 'datamatrix',
  shape: 'square',
});
const image = toImageData(matrix, { scale: 8, margin: 4 });
const [result] = decode(image, { formats: ['datamatrix'] });

if (result) console.log(result.text);

The runtime code is MIT-licensed original Sythos work. Provenance, third-party black-box validation and legal-review labels are recorded in NOTICE.md, LICENSE, and licenses/data-matrix.license.