Source : WordNet®

bar code
     n : code consisting of a series of vertical bars of variable
         width that are scanned by a laser; printed on consumer
         product packages to identify the item for a computer that
         provides the price and registers inventory information
         [syn: {Universal Product Code}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

bar code
     
         A printed horizontal strip of vertical bars of
        varying widths, groups of which represent decimal digits and
        are used for identifying commercial products or parts.  Bar
        codes are read by a bar code reader and the code interpreted
        either through {software} or a {hardware} decoder.
     
        All products sold in open trade are numbered and bar-coded to
        a worldwide standard, which was introduced in the US in 1973
        and to the rest of the world in 1977.  The Uniform Code
        Council in the US, along with the international article
        numbering authority, EAN International, allocate blocks of
        unique 12 or 13-digit numbers to member companies through a
        national numbering authority.  In Britain this is the Article
        Number Association.  Most companies are allocated 100,000
        numbers that they can use to identify any of their products,
        services or locations.
     
        Each code typically contains a leading "quiet" zone, start
        character, data character, optional {check digit}, stop
        character and a trailing quiet zone.  The check digit is used
        to verify that the number has been scanned correctly.  The
        quiet zone could be white, red or yellow if viewed by a red
        scanner.  Bar code readers usually use visible red light with
        a wavelength between 632.8 and 680 nanometres.
     
        [Details of code?]
     
        (1997-07-18)