In simple terms a bar code is a series of bars and spaces of varying widths, which can be read by a scanner. More than 200 different styles or languages (symbologies) were invented but only a handful are used regularly. They are code 39, ITF-Interleaved 2 of 5, code 128, and GS1 standards. GS1 enables any product to be uniquely identified by a number any where in the world.
The most commonly recognized barcode is the EAN 13 symbol/bar code, which is used to identify most items sold at the Point of Sale. The prefix 616 was allocated to Kenya, denoting all bar-code numbers that have been issued by GS1 Kenya. All numbers issued by GS1 Kenya therefore start with the country prefix 616.
Barcodes: various types: various applications |
