An improved bar code symbol reading methodology, device, and system includes a bar code symbol reading engine (151’) that reads bar code symbols affixed to objects proximate thereto and produce symbol character data representative of such bar code symbols. A data transmission subsystem (523), operably coupled to the bar code reading engine, communicates such symbol character data to the communication interface of a host system over a communication link therebetween. The data transmission subsystem (523) implements a plurality of different communication interfaces (551A, 551B). During an interface configuration mode of operation, the data transmission subsystem (523) automatically cycles through at least one of the plurality of different communication interfaces whereby, for a given communication interface, the data transmission subsystem selectively activates the given communication interface - while disabling the other communication interfaces, and tests the communication link between the given communication interface and the host system to ascertain if the given communication interface corresponds to the communication interface of the host system.