viivakoodoja

Viivakoodi, often referred to as a barcode in English, is a visual representation of data that can be read by a machine. It consists of a series of parallel lines and spaces of varying widths. These patterns encode information in a machine-readable format, most commonly for product identification.

The most common type of barcode is the Universal Product Code (UPC), widely used in North America for retail products. Another prevalent standard is the European Article Number (EAN), which is similar to UPC but used internationally. These linear barcodes are designed to be read by laser scanners.

Beyond linear barcodes, there are also two-dimensional barcodes, such as QR codes (Quick Response codes). These can store significantly more data than linear barcodes, including website URLs, text, and contact information, and are read by imaging scanners or smartphone cameras.

The primary function of barcodes is to automate data capture, speeding up processes like checkout in retail, inventory management, and shipping. They reduce manual data entry errors and improve efficiency. The data encoded in a barcode typically refers to an identifier that is then looked up in a database to retrieve more detailed information. Barcodes are a ubiquitous technology in modern commerce and logistics.