What is a Barcode?

A barcode consists of a square or rectangular shape featuring a mix of vertical black lines of different thicknesses and heights, along with white spaces and numbers that collectively identify distinct products and their associated information. Computers connected to scanners can interpret these codes and utilize the precise arrangement of bars, spaces, and digits to access the information for that item.

Currently, barcodes can be seen on not just grocery items from supermarkets or stores, but also on licenses, rental vehicles, checked baggage, and hospital bracelets. In every instance, they pinpoint a product or individual and record essential information.

How Barcodes Work

The black bars' width typically indicates the values 0 or 1, whereas their arrangement signifies a digit ranging from 0 to 9. A computer linked to the scanner contains all the details regarding the item linked to that specific combination of bars and spaces and can add, multiply, or divide those numbers to pinpoint the accurate product, which is displayed on the screen.

In a warehouse, the barcode can encode details like an item's size, color, and other features, along with its location, enabling the company to have a comprehensive understanding of existing inventory and efficiently process orders or perform physical inventory checks. In a retail context, this information might encompass the product name and price that an employee requires to finalize a customer's purchase. Organizations can utilize barcodes to monitor products during their entire lifecycle, from production to delivery to sale to maintenance and repair.