Examples of Codes:: What Is Code ?

What is Code ?
It is a system of rules to convert information- such as letter, word, sound, image or gesture into
another representation, sometimes shortened or secret. system of replacing the words in a message
with other words or symbols, so that nobody can understand it unless they know the system.
Examples of Codes:
Barcode
When you purchase an item from any store, you will notice
a label with thin, black lines across it, along with a variation
of different numbers. This label is then scanned by the
cashier, and the item's description and price automatically
come up. The word for this is called a barcode, and it is
used to read data and information based upon the widths
of those small black lines. The barcode has many uses,
although most of us think of them as simply a way to price
items in the grocery or department store. Barcodes are
becoming more and more common in just about every
facet of consumer life. For example, car rental companies
now identify their rental vehicles by using a barcode. Your
luggage gets assigned a barcode when you check it into the
airport in order to assure more accuracy when it comes to
keeping track of it. Even driver's licenses today have barcodes on them in most states. Medicine
prescriptions, library books, and tracking different shipments are also other ways that a barcode can be
used. Is a way to encode information in a visual patern that a machine can read.
Different companies' barcodes use a different amount of

number and bar combinations. Some of the larger
manufacturers will have a longer number, but this goes much
deeper than how many numbers are listed. Every single number
on a barcode has a meaning. For example, if the barcode
number starts with a 0, then it is what's known as a standard
UPC number. If the number begins with a 1, then it is what's
called a "random-weight item", meaning the price of the item
will depend on its weight. This is typically applied to such things as meats, fruits, or vegetables. If an
item starts with the number 3, it is a pharmaceutical. There are several other variations of these
numbers, and each one represents something different. If a coupon is used that has a barcode,
information goes through a system that links that coupon and its value to the item previously scanned,
and then the amount is automatically deducted. A complex computerized system reads every single
barcode that is scanned, but these barcodes are system-specific depending on what company they
belong to. There areways the average consumer can "decode" a barcode if they know what to look for
and are familiar with the variations of numbers. Barcodes make our lives much more efficient, and
shopping much faster.
The most important implementation resource for barcode identification are the over 100 GS1 Member
Organisations in countries all around the world. This guide takes new barcode usersthrough the basic
steps they must take to begin using barcodes.
Ten Steps to Barcode Implementation
Step 1 Get a GS1 Company Prefix
Step 2 Assign numbers
Step 3 Select a barcode printing process
Step 4 Select a "primary" scanning environment
Step 5 Select a barcode
Step 6 Pick a barcode size
Step 7 Format the barcode text
Step 8 Pick a barcode colour
Step 9 Pick the barcode placement
Step 10 Build a barcode quality plan
Barcodes are often overlooked as a method for cutting costs and saving time. A valuable and viable
choice for businesses looking to improve efficiency and reduce overhead, barcodes are both cost-
effective and reliable.
Barcodes eliminate the possibility of human error. The occurrence of errors for manually entered data is
significantly higher than that of barcodes. A barcode scan is fast and reliable, and takes infinitely less
time than entering data by hand.
Barcodes are extremely versatile. They can be used for any kind of necessary data collection. This could
include pricing or inventory information. Additionally, because barcodes can be attached to just about
any surface, they can be used to track not only the products themselves, but also outgoing shipments
and even equipment.
Inventory control improves. Because barcodes make it possible to track inventory so precisely, inventory
levels can be reduced. This translates into a lower overheard. The location of equipment can also be
tracked, reducing the time spent searching for it, and the money spent replacing equipment that is
presumed lost.
Types of Barcode
1-D Barcodes
Barcodes representing data in the widths (lines) and the spacings of

parallel lines such as Code128, Code 39, and UPC, are referred to as
Linear or 1D (one-dimensional) barcode symbologies.
1D Barcode:
• Holds less than 85 characters (symbology specific character limit).
• A majority of customers are set up to use Linear barcodes (Linear scanner).
• Creates a wide barcode.
2D Barcode
Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, such as Data Matrix, PDF417, and QR Code,

may have patterns of squares, dots, hexagons and other geometric
patterns. While maintaining a fairly small size, these barcode types hold
much more data than linear barcodes. 2D barcodes can hold hundreds of
characters.
2D Barcode:
• Encodes/holds hundreds of characters.
• Requires a 2D barcode scanner.
• Creates a smaller barcode than 1D.

Universal Product Code
An example of 1D type of barcode and is a type of code printed on retail product packaging to aid in
identifying a particular item.
The Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12-digit barcode that is assigned to a consumer product for
identifying it and its manufacturer. The barcode consists of a series of variable-width vertical bars and
was originally created by IBM in 1973 for tracking merchandise in stores, mainly at the point of sale
(POS). The use of UPC has since spread to other countries as well, such as the UK, Canada, Australia, etc.
The UPC standard is maintained and regulated by GS1, an international non-profit organization that
maintains and develops standards for supply-and-demand chains across multiple industry sectors.
A UPC is issued to a manufacturer that applies to have its product coded by GS1. The first six digits of the
UPC number is the manufacturer identification number, which means that this is the same for all
products of that specific manufacturer. The second set of six numbers pertains to the item itself and
may be only assigned to a single item. If a manufacturer registers more than one product, it has to pay
to get a unique number for each product. The reason this is done by GS1 is to ensure that each product
item has a unique UPC, in order to avoid any potential mix-ups during retail. A specific barcode that
represents the UPC is also assigned.
The UPC only identifies a specific item and contains no other information such as price or quantity. This
is so the vendor or retail outlet can assign its own price to the item. What consumers see happening at
the POS at retail stores during scanning is the system using the item's UPC to look up the local item
database for the price, and is not actually the UPC giving the price.
The universal product code (UPC) used in bar coding is an important aspect in the traceability of a
certain product. Companies find it easier to identify their products, establish traceability programs and
improve safety in their food operation with the implementation of bar codes. Since the Food Safety
Modernization Act in 2011, food companies do not have a choice but to comply with the traceability
requirement of the agency.
When it comes to unique product identification, companies rely on the standards organisation GS1 for
universal product codes. Particularly in the US, GS1 US provides company prefixes to be used in UPCs.
Presently, standards set by GS1 have been used in 150 countries worldwide
ZIP Postal Code/ Zoning Improvement Plan Postal code
Before the invention of cellular phones, writing a letter and sending

it via air mail was the best way of communicating to our loved
ones. People then must be very patient because they would have
to wait for a week just for their letter to reach its destination and it
would take another week for them to get the reply. Now, people
would be aggravated if their text mates would not reply within an
hour. And with the fast changing world most of the youths now
don’t even know the Postal code or ZIP code of their own town.
Why would they when they don’t need to send letter through the
post office anymore, right? Instead of going to a post office to send
a letter, we could just send it via e-mail, and as for packages, there are now fast cargo companies that
are more reliable.

Examples of Codes:: What Is Code ?

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Examples of Codes:: What Is Code ?

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Examples of Codes:: What Is Code ?

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is Code ?

Different companies' barcodes use a different amount of

Ten Steps to Barcode Implementation

Step 1 Get a GS1 Company Prefix

Step 2 Assign numbers

Step 3 Select a barcode printing process

Step 4 Select a "primary" scanning environment

Step 5 Select a barcode

Step 6 Pick a barcode size

Step 7 Format the barcode text

Step 8 Pick a barcode colour

Step 9 Pick the barcode placement

Step 10 Build a barcode quality plan

Barcodes representing data in the widths (lines) and the spacings of

• Holds less than 85 characters (symbology specific character limit).

• A majority of customers are set up to use Linear barcodes (Linear scanner).

• Creates a wide barcode.

Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, such as Data Matrix, PDF417, and QR Code,

• Encodes/holds hundreds of characters.

• Requires a 2D barcode scanner.

• Creates a smaller barcode than 1D.

ZIP Postal Code/ Zoning Improvement Plan Postal code

Before the invention of cellular phones, writing a letter and sending

You might also like