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Note: This works in both Python 2 and Python 3

I was asked to provide some example code for a job interview and didn't have anything to offer, so I wrote the following function.

• It's something I recently needed, so it's not entirely contrived.
• It's simple enough to do in one function, so it can be reviewed easily.
• It's complex enough that a new programmer would make a mess of it.
• It's cute. You can render the generated barcode in a browser.
• It's useful, so I could make a little gist out of it.

The barcode is in the Interleaved 2 of 5 Format. It's a simple format, and there's a Wikipedia article that explains it well.

I was asked to provide some example code for a job interview and didn't have anything to offer, so wrote the following function.

• It's something I recently needed, so not entirely contrived.
• It's simple enough to do in one function, so it can be reviewed easily.
• It's complex enough that a new programmer would make a mess of it.
• It's visual. You can render the result in a browser.
• It's useful, so I could make a little gist out of it.

The barcode is in the Interleaved 2 of 5 Format. It's a simple format, and there's a Wikipedia article that covers it well.

Update: A new version of this code has been posted here. The new code includes many of the suggestions made below.

Update: A new version of this code has been posted here. The new code includes many of the suggestions made below.