Definition
A bar code is a method of representing data in a visual, machine-readable form. Initially, bar codes systematically represent data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines and may be referred to as linear or one-dimensional (1D). Later, two-dimensional (2D) variants were developed, using rectangles, dots, hexagons, and other shapes to form a pattern. Often used in trade, a bar code series includes patterns of black and white bars readable by a scanner.
Bar codes are predominantly employed in retail for tracking products and inventory, in identification cards, and for various forms of logistic packaging. The technology developed in the early 1970s has grown and diversified across industries.
Examples
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Universal Product Code (UPC): The most common example of a bar code, found on nearly every retail product to facilitate quick checkout and inventory management.
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QR Code: A type of matrix barcode or two-dimensional barcode, known as a quick response code, which can store a significant amount of data compared to a traditional bar code.
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ISBN Bar Codes: These are found on books and consist of the ISBN number in the form of a bar code, aiding in easy library, bookstore, and publisher inventory management.
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Code 128: Often used in logistics and transportation, this bar code encodes alphanumeric characters and is capable of encoding all 128 ASCII symbols.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a bar code used for?
Bar codes are used for various purposes, including tracking products in retail stores, managing inventory, identifying items uniquely, providing product and price information, and more.
How does a bar code work?
A bar code works by representing data through a combination of bars and spaces of varying widths. A bar code scanner reads this pattern of bars/spaces and converts it into data that a computer can process.
What are the different types of bar codes?
There are several types of bar codes, including UPC, QR codes, Code 39, Code 128, Data Matrix, and EAN among others.
How does a bar code scanner read a bar code?
A bar code scanner emits a light beam and detects the reflections from the bars and spaces of the bar code. This information is then converted into an electronic signal that the computer can process.
Can bar codes hold text information?
Yes, certain types of bar codes like Code 128 and Code 39 can hold text information, in addition to numerals.
Related Terms and Definitions
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Universal Product Code (UPC): A specific type of bar code used extensively in the United States for tracking trade items in stores.
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QR Code: A type of 2D bar code that is known for its quick readability and greater storage capacity for data.
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Data Matrix: Another type of 2D bar code especially used in small items due to its ability to store large amounts of data in a small space.
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Bar Code Scanner: A device that reads bar codes by scanning them with a laser or light source to interpret the encoded data.
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EAN (European Article Number): A bar code standard adopted worldwide, especially for identifying products at the point of sale.
Online References
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Bar Code Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Reading, Printing, Specifying, Evaluating, and Using Bar Code and Other Machine-Readable Symbols” by Roger C. Palmer
- “Automatic Identification and Data Collection Systems” by Norman Epstein
- “Symbology: Bar Codes and Beyond” by Ralph E. Vasquez
Fundamentals of Bar Code: Communications and Data Encoding Basics Quiz
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