Viivakoodeja

Viivakoodeja, also known as barcodes, are visual representations of data that can be easily read by optical scanners. They are widely used in various industries for inventory management, tracking, and identification purposes. Barcodes consist of parallel lines and spaces of varying widths, which encode information about the item they are attached to. The most common type of barcode is the Universal Product Code (UPC), which is used for retail products in the United States and Canada. Other types of barcodes include the European Article Number (EAN), used in Europe, and the Code 39, which can encode alphanumeric characters.

The process of reading a barcode involves scanning it with a barcode reader or a smartphone camera. The scanner converts the visual pattern into a digital format that can be processed by a computer system. This digital data can then be used to retrieve information from a database, such as product details, pricing, or inventory levels. Barcodes have become an integral part of modern supply chain management, enabling efficient tracking and automation of processes.

Despite their widespread use, barcodes have limitations. They can be easily damaged or obscured, making them less reliable in certain environments. Additionally, barcodes require line-of-sight scanning, which can be challenging in situations where the barcode is not clearly visible. To address these issues, two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, such as QR codes, have been developed. These codes can store more information and can be read from any angle, making them more versatile and robust.