vöötkoodi

Vöötkoodi, commonly known as a barcode in English, is a machine-readable optical labeling system that encodes data. This data is typically represented by a series of parallel lines of varying widths and spacing. These lines are read by a barcode scanner, which translates the visual pattern into digital data that can be processed by a computer. The most common type of barcode is the Universal Product Code (UPC), widely used on retail products.

The fundamental principle behind barcode technology is the encoding of information into a visual pattern. Different types of barcodes exist, each with its own encoding scheme and capacity for data. Linear barcodes, like UPC and EAN (European Article Number), are two-dimensional and represent data horizontally. More advanced two-dimensional barcodes, such as QR codes (Quick Response codes), can store significantly more information, including text, URLs, and contact details, in both horizontal and vertical directions.

The application of barcodes is vast. In retail, they are essential for inventory management, point-of-sale transactions, and tracking products. Beyond retail, barcodes are utilized in logistics for tracking shipments, in healthcare for patient identification and medication management, and in libraries for managing books. Their efficiency and accuracy have made them an indispensable tool in modern commerce and information management. The rapid scanning and error reduction provided by barcodes contribute to streamlined operations and improved data integrity across numerous industries.