Why Should You Replace Linear Barcodes With 2D Codes?
In information technology, the storage and retrieval of information is the primary concern. The amount of data a given physical device is able to store depends on the design principles that went into making the device. For example, a one-dimensional barcode is a machine-readable representation of data. The one-dimensional, or 1D, barcode is capable of storing information up to a certain point. This is because a 1D barcode, also called a linear barcode, represents data as straight lines of varying width. This allows only a limited amount of information storage.
A two-dimensional barcode, also called 2D or a matrix code, is capable of representing a lot more data because the number of dimensions has been doubled. A matrix code represents data across both length and width of the barcode; a portable database of information, in other words. Matrix codes are mostly used for the identification of technological products, like computers, cell phones and wireless routers. Since the inception of matrix codes, 20 different designs have been registered and implemented. Special scanners are required to read matrix codes; the scanning beam moves sideways across the code, rather than simply reading the code horizontally, as with 1D codes.
There are many different matrix code standards. Some of the most common ones are:
- PDF 417: This arrangement can store information that is 2000 characters long; that is several sentences worth of data about a product or service. PDF stands for Portable Data File, and since the storage capacity is so huge, many times external databases are not required. This makes PDF 417 great for health care, identification, and logistics and retail.
- DataMatrix: Like PDF 417, a DataMatrix code can also store up to 2000 characters. DataMatrix is a square symbol that can be as long as fourteen inches. Circuit boards, high-quality lenses and surgical instruments are usually encoded using these matrices.
- MaxiCode: This arrangement can only store 93 characters worth of information. This arrangement has a distinct symbol; a bull’s eye in the center surrounded by hexagonal rows. It is much beloved by United Parcel Service because it can quickly be scanned while the code is moving on a conveyor belt.