Definition: barcode

The EAN (European Article Numbering) code is a barcode used by commerce and industry in accordance with the specifications of EAN International, an organisation now replaced by GS11. It is known in France under the name GENCODE, incorrectly, since GENCOD was the name of the French organisation responsible for its national regulation.

A barcode is the representation of numerical or alphanumeric data in the form of a symbol consisting of bars and spaces whose thickness varies depending on the symbology used and the data encoded. Barcodes were created in 1970 by George Laurer.

When these bars are replaced by small squares or dots, the code is referred to as two-dimensional.

Barcodes are designed to be read automatically by an electronic sensor, known as a barcode reader.