How do barcodes store product information?
Quick Answer
Barcodes encode numbers as patterns of lines or squares that scanners read using light reflection. Those patterns correspond to a database record for the product.
The Full Story
Traditional 1D barcodes use black bars and white spaces of different widths to represent digits. A scanner shines light on the code and measures reflected light, converting the pattern into data that a computer can look up. The Universal Product Code, or UPC, was first used in retail in 1974 on a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum. Modern QR codes are 2D barcodes that can store much more data, including web links and payment information. Barcodes are now essential in retail, shipping, libraries, and healthcare.
Key Facts
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