Bar coding – Definition & Meaning

Bar coding is a system of identifying and tracking products or items using a series of lines and spaces that represent a unique code. It has become an essential tool in many industries, including retail, healthcare, and logistics, to improve efficiency and accuracy in inventory management and supply chain operations.

Definitions

Bar coding is the process of creating and printing a series of vertical bars or lines on a product or item, which can be scanned using a barcode reader to retrieve information about the product or item. The barcode contains a unique code that identifies the product or item, such as its name, price, and manufacturer.

Origin

The concept of bar coding was first introduced in the 1940s by Bernard Silver and Norman Joseph Woodland, who were graduate students at Drexel University in Philadelphia. They developed the first barcode system using a series of dots and dashes, which later evolved into the modern barcode system that we use today.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Oxford Dictionary, bar coding is “the use of a system of barcodes to identify and track products or items.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “the process of creating and printing a barcode on a product or item for identification and tracking purposes.”

Associations

Bar coding is commonly associated with inventory management, supply chain operations, and retail. It is also used in healthcare to track patient information and medication administration.

Synonyms

Some synonyms of bar coding include barcode scanning, barcode labeling, and barcode tracking.

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms of bar coding, but some alternatives to bar coding include radio frequency identification (RFID) and QR codes.

The same root words

The root words of bar coding are “bar” and “code.” “Bar” refers to the series of vertical lines or bars, while “code” refers to the unique identification number or information that is encoded in the barcode.

Example Sentences

1. The store uses bar coding to track inventory and sales.
2. The hospital implemented a bar coding system to improve medication administration.
3. The logistics company relies on bar coding to streamline their supply chain operations.
4. The barcode scanner can quickly read the bar coding on the product and retrieve its information.
5. The manufacturer uses bar coding to ensure that each product is uniquely identified and tracked.