Even with a simple wand, a bar code can be scanned in a fraction of the time it takes to enter the information manually. CCD and laser scanners are also available for even faster data entry. Bar codes can be produced easily and cheaply. Bar codes can be printed on most computer printers, for the cost of ink and paper. Even a low cost dot matrix printer can produce bar codes of adequate quality.
Scanners are the devices that read bar codes.
A scanner shoots pulses of light. Scanning the bar code generates a string of zeros and ones. This pattern of zeros and ones represents the characters encoded. The scanner software, or firmware, translates or decodes the strings into characters. The scanner must be able to shoot a straight line across the bars and spaces.