vöötkoodisid

Vöötkoodisid is an Estonian term that translates to "barcode" in English. A barcode is a visual representation of data that can be read by a machine. Typically, barcodes consist of parallel lines of varying widths and spacing, which encode information in a binary format. This information can include product identification numbers, pricing, inventory data, and more.

The most common type of barcode is the Universal Product Code (UPC) or the European Article Number (EAN), which are widely used in retail for scanning products at checkout. These linear barcodes are designed to be read horizontally. However, other types of barcodes exist, such as two-dimensional barcodes like QR codes, which can store significantly more information and can be read both horizontally and vertically.

Barcodes were first developed in the 1970s and revolutionized inventory management and point-of-sale systems. Their adoption has led to increased efficiency, reduced errors, and faster transaction times in various industries, including retail, logistics, and healthcare. The ability of machines to quickly and accurately read barcode data has become a fundamental component of modern commerce and information management.