What Is a Barcode? Definition and Guide

what is a barcode

A barcode is a square or rectangular image consisting of a series of parallel black lines and white spaces of varying widths that can be read by a scanner. Barcodes are applied to products as a means of quick identification. They are used in retail stores as part of the purchase process, in warehouses to track inventory, and on invoices to assist in accounting, among many other uses.

Two kinds of barcodes

There are two general types of barcodes: 1-dimensional (1D) and 2-dimensional (2D).

1D barcodes are a series of lines used to store text information, such as product type, size, and color. They appear in the top part of universal product codes (UPCs) used on product packaging, to help track packages through the U.S. Postal Service, as well as in ISBN numbers on the back of books.

2D barcodes are more complex and can include more information than just text, such as the price, quantity, and even an image. For that reason, linear barcode scanners can’t read them, though smartphones and other image scanners will.

There are more than a dozen barcode variations, however, depending on the application.

Barcode history

The concept for the barcode was developed by Norman Joseph Woodland, who drew a series of lines in the sand to represent Morse code, and Bernard Silver. A patent was granted in 1966 and NCR became the first company to develop a commercial scanner to read barcode symbology. A pack of Wrigley’s gum was the first item ever scanned, at Marsh’s supermarket in Troy, Ohio, NCR’s hometown.

Benefits of barcodes

Barcodes were developed to improve the speed of sales transactions, but there are other potential benefits to businesses, including:

  • Better accuracy- Relying on a barcode to process data is far more accurate than relying on manually-entered data, which is prone to errors.
  • Data is immediately available- Because of the processing speed, information about inventory levels or sales is available in real time.
  • Reduced training requirements- Thanks to the simplicity of the barcode scanner, employees need little in the way of training in how to use it. Additionally, thanks to barcodes, there is much less for employees to have to learn and retain.
  • 提高库存控制- Being able to scan and track inventory yields a much more accurate count, as well as a better calculation of inventory turn. Companies can hold less inventory when they know how soon they will need it.
  • Low cost implementation- Generating barcodes is quick and easy, as is installing a barcode system. Potential savings can be realized almost immediately.

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What Is a Barcode? FAQ

What is a barcode used for?

Barcodes are used to identify products in stores. They provide information to a computer system, which is used to track inventory, pricing, and other data. Barcodes are also used to track shipments, verify product authenticity, and manage returns.

What is a barcode simple definition?

A barcode is a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the item to which it is attached. It consists of a pattern of parallel lines of varying widths that are scanned by a barcode reader.

What is a barcode and how does it work?

A barcode is a visual representation of data that is readable by a machine. It uses a pattern of parallel lines of varying widths and spacing to represent numerical or alphanumerical data. The barcode scanner reads the barcode and interprets the information encoded in it, which is then processed by a computer. The computer then looks up the corresponding item in a database, retrieves the information associated with it, and displays it to the user.

What is the difference between barcode and QR code?

Barcode is a traditional printed machine-readable representation of data that consists of parallel black lines and white spaces of different widths. It is typically used to store information such as product numbers and prices. To create your own barcodes, tryShopify's barcode generator.
QR code stands for Quick Response code and is a type of two-dimensional barcode. It is made up of black and white modules arranged in a square pattern, and can be used to store more data than traditional barcodes. QR codes can be scanned and read by smartphones, allowing users to quickly access websites, videos, and other digital content. To create your own QR codes, try Shopify's QR code generator.
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