# Barcode

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> When a shipment arrives at the warehouse, a single scan of the barcode captures item, quantity and origin in a fraction of a second – no manual keying required.

When a shipment arrives at the warehouse, a single scan of the barcode captures item, quantity and origin in a fraction of a second – no manual keying required. A barcode is a machine-readable encoding of data through varying bar widths and spaces, interpreted by an optical scanner. In logistics and supply chain management, it underpins automated tracking from goods receipt and storage assignment through to final delivery confirmation. Common formats include EAN-13 for retail products and Code 128 for shipping and forwarding labels. Compared to manual data entry, barcodes sharply cut error rates and accelerate throughput in high-volume distribution centres. Where line-of-sight scanning is impractical, RFID complements or replaces the barcode.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Barcode |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 112 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcode |

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