Barcodes are quite literally a staple of retail and logistics and many more industries besides making inventory management and checkout procedures easier. Engineers and programmers clearly have a vested interest in the inner mechanics of how barcodes work and how to write code that barcode scanners could interpret. Let’s dive into the technology behind the bars and the coding practices that make them work seamlessly.
Basics of Barcode Technology
A barcode essentially consists of a series of parallel lines and spaces of varying widths that store data. The data stored in the barcode can carry product, serial, or any other information. Barcode scanners read the lines and spaces and translate them into digital data that software systems understand.
How Barcodes Store Data
Information is stored in barcodes using various bar and space patterns representing each number or letter. Some common barcode types include the Universal Product Code (UPC), Code 39, and QR Codes. Each type uses a different scheme for encoding information into the barcode pattern.
Barcode Encoding
This would be a generation of the correct pattern of bars and spaces depending on the data to be encoded, for engineers and programmers. Following is the simplified process to write code for generating barcodes:
Barcode Standard Selection
Choose the correct barcode standard for your application. For example, most retail products use UPC or EAN codes; for shipping/logistics, Code 128 or Code 39 might be used.
Encoding Data
Encode your data according to the rules defined in the applied barcode standard. In other words, it turns the character into a pattern of bars and spaces. Most programming languages have libraries which can make this process easy.
Generation of Barcode
Use the encoded data to create the visual barcode, which is normally an image file representing the barcode. Most barcode libraries can do this for you and usually generate an image such as a PNG, SVG, or JPEG image.
Checking for Readability of Barcodes
Test the generated barcodes for the readability of the same by scanners. The size of the barcode, print quality, and the contrast would matter for readability. Dimension and spacing of the barcodes should adhere to the standards.
How Barcode Scanners Work
Different technologies are used in barcode scanners to read and decode barcodes. Knowing these technologies will aid in designing barcodes that are easily scannable.
Laser Scanners
Laser scanners This works by using a laser beam to scan the barcode. The scanner measures the reflection of the laser to tell apart the bars and the spaces from one another. These are common in retail.
CCD Scanners
Charge-coupled device scanning involves capturing an image of the barcode using an array of small light sensors. The sensors measure the amount of reflected light that is returned to decode the barcode. CCD scanners are often used in hand-held devices.
Camera-Based Scanners
Camera-based scanners use imaging technology to capture an image of the barcode. Software processes the image to decode the data. They are versatile and read both 1D and 2D barcodes like QR codes.
How Scanners Decode Barcodes
Be it a scanner, the decoding process involves capturing the pattern of the bars and spaces of the barcode, converting the pattern into an electrical signal, digitizing the electrical signal into a binary format, and processing the binary data according to the bar code standard to recover the information that was encoded.
Guaranteeing Scanners’ Compatibility
While writing barcode code, note the following tips to make it compatible with scanners. Compliance with standards—dimensional adherence and encoding of information with error correction in a certain barcode standard that a developer has opted to implement in their application. Scan your barcode with various types of scanners for broad compatibility. High contrast—Black bars on light-colored background are highly readable. Print Quality—the printed barcodes must be clear and not smudged or distorted.
The Power of Barcode Technology
Engineers and programmers in retail, logistics, and beyond must know how barcode technology works and how to write the code. By selecting the proper barcode standard, correctly encoding data, and ensuring it is going to read with scanners, you can create an effective barcode solution that allows operations to run efficiently. Having a good understanding of these principles will enable you to develop solid barcode systems, be they laser, CCD, or camera-based scanners.