What is a barcode?
A barcode (technically called GTIN or Global Trade Item Number) is a number represented in vertical lines of varying widths printed on labels to uniquely identify items. The barcode labels are read with a scanner, which measures reflected light and interprets the pattern of reflection into numbers and letters that are passed onto a computer to retrieve original product data.
A barcode enables the rapid and un-ambiguous identification of products, assets, documents and people. Using a barcode can greatly reduce human errors in data entry and processing, eliminate ambiguities caused by inconsistent approaches to product labelling and mistakes in reading handwriting.
Barcodes were first used by supermarkets to automate the checkout process. Due to the ease and speed the barcode provided retailers and customers the barcode is now used by retailers across the world.
There are a number of different types of barcode symbols being used: these include the most popular linear or 1D barcodes known as GS1 BarCodes, or the smaller GS1 DataBar symbols.
Below is an example of a GS1 BarCode.
