Editing Barcode (section)

==Barcode readers==
{{Main|Barcode reader}}
[[File:GTIN Barcodes of coke bottles - what you see and what the barcode scanner see 2 IMG 2908 2913 2919.JPG|thumb|[[Global Trade Item Number|GTIN]] barcodes on [[Coca-Cola]] bottles. The images at right show how the [[laser]] of barcode readers "see" the images behind a red filter.]]
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The earliest, and still{{when|date=September 2022}} the cheapest, barcode scanners are built from a fixed light and a single [[photosensor]] that is manually moved across the barcode. Barcode scanners can be classified into three categories based on their connection to the computer. The older type is the [[RS-232]] barcode scanner. This type requires special programming for transferring the input data to the application program. Keyboard interface scanners connect to a computer using a [[PS/2 port|PS/2]] or [[AT keyboard]]–compatible adaptor cable (a "[[Barcode reader#Keyboard wedge (USB, PS/2, etc)|keyboard wedge]]"). The barcode's data is sent to the computer as if it had been typed on the keyboard.

Like the keyboard interface scanner, [[USB]] scanners do not need custom code for transferring input data to the application program. On PCs running Windows the [[human interface device]] emulates the data merging action of a hardware "keyboard wedge", and the scanner automatically behaves like an additional keyboard.

Most modern smartphones are able to decode barcode using their built-in camera. Google's mobile [[Android (operating system)|Android]] operating system can use their own [[Google Lens]] application to scan QR codes, or third-party apps like [[Barcode Scanner (application)|Barcode Scanner]] to read both one-dimensional barcodes and QR codes. Google's [[Google Pixel|Pixel]] devices can natively read QR codes inside the default [[Pixel Camera]] app. Nokia's [[Symbian]] operating system featured a barcode scanner,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/nokia-n80/phone-software/smartphone |website=Nokia Europe |title=Nokia N80 Support |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714030851/http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/nokia-n80/phone-software/smartphone |archive-date=14 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> while mbarcode<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maemo.org/packages/view/mbarcode/ |title=package overview for mbarcode |publisher=Maemo.org |access-date=28 July 2010 |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407120644/http://maemo.org/packages/view/mbarcode/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is a QR code reader for the [[Maemo]] operating system. In Apple [[iOS 11]], the native camera app can decode QR codes and can link to URLs, join wireless networks, or perform other operations depending on the QR Code contents.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imore.com/how-use-qr-codes-ios-11 |access-date=1 October 2017 |title=How to use QR codes in iOS 11 |publisher=iMore |first=Mikah |last=Sargent |date=24 September 2017 |archive-date=2 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002120404/https://www.imore.com/how-use-qr-codes-ios-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other paid and free apps are available with scanning capabilities for other symbologies or for earlier iOS versions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iphoneness.com/iphone-apps/5-best-barcode-iphone-applications/ |access-date=1 October 2017 |title=15+ Best Barcode Scanner iPhone Applications |website=iPhoneness |date=3 March 2017 |archive-date=2 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002120130/https://www.iphoneness.com/iphone-apps/5-best-barcode-iphone-applications/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With [[BlackBerry]] devices, the App World application can natively scan barcodes and load any recognized Web URLs on the device's Web browser. [[Windows Phone 7.5]] is able to scan barcodes through the [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]] search app. However, these devices are not designed specifically for the capturing of barcodes. As a result, they do not decode nearly as quickly or accurately as a dedicated barcode scanner or [[portable data terminal]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}