What Types of Information Can You Find In Barcodes?

Barcodes can store a wide range of information types and quantities.

Some fundamental information included in a barcode are the product identity, weight, size, manufacturer identity, and of course-information about the facility where it was created.

Let's have a closer look at what information two types of barcodes can hold: one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) barcodes.

- 1D barcode
Also known as linear barcodes, this barcode type is the most common one. It consists of a series of vertical lines and spaces of varying widths, which encode information.

The information encoded in 1D barcodes includes:

Product identification: such as their manufacturer, brand, and model number.

Inventory management: to track inventory levels and monitor stock movement.

Price information: allow for faster and more accurate checkout at retail stores.

Tracking information: used to track packages and shipments, allowing for real-time updates on their location and delivery status.

Serial numbers: used to uniquely identify a specific item or product.

1D barcodes are primarily used for simple identification and tracking purposes, and are limited in the amount of information they can contain compared to more advanced barcode technologies like 2D barcodes.

- 2D barcode
Commonly referred to as matrix codes, 2D barcodes are more intricate than 1D barcodes and have a far larger data storage capacity.

It allows users to amass up to 2,000 characters' worth of encoded data.

Data is encrypted both horizontally and vertically in 2D barcodes, allowing for more flexible application.

The uses of 2D barcodes are the same as those of 1D barcodes and more.

These types of barcodes can also be used for logistics, supply chain management, inventory tracking, sale registries, mobile marketing, and other purposes.

The ability to embed links or images within a 2D barcode that can be scanned using an image scanner is an additional benefit of 2D barcodes, like a smartphone's camera, and uploaded or viewed.

See more: https://barcodelive.org/b...