title: Developing an effective barcode system/code
body: <p>I'm sorry if the title is misleading but I have to develop the format for a barcode (either 1D or 2D, doesn't matter).  The barcode needs to include a Purchase Order #, Bill of lading #, as well as the Line #, product ID # and quantity of each item that appears on the purchase order.
  Anyone have any ideas for doing this?</p>
  
  <p>Here is what I've come up with so far:</p>
  
  <p>PurchaseOrder # - Bill of Lading # | Product1ID Line# Qty | Product2ID Line# Qty| Product3...</p>
  
  <p>What the string for this idea may actually look like:</p>
  
  <p>VO12340000-APX132 * 65465 1 12 * 897965 2 5 * 98464 3 88 *</p>
  
  <p>This idea uses "*" as a break character to tell the difference between items as well as having a required length for each specific trait.  To me it seems like there must be a better way to accomplish this.  This idea would be very hard to have one of my company's suppliers implement as it is very complicated and precise.  Any insight or ideas on how to accomplish this would be greatly appreciated.</p>
  
  <p>EDIT:  Although I am using VB.NET.  This is more of a general programming logic question.</p>