What is the difference between a Magstripe and a Barcode? (Q&A)

What is the difference between a Magstripe and a Barcode? (Q&A)

Q

What is the difference between a Magstripe and a Barcode?

A

Barcodes and magstripes are very similar in that they both encode data and both are mechanisms for embedding a number that references a record in a database on a software system.

Barcodes:

  • A form of visual storage where information is stored in parallel lines of varying widths.
  • A barcode scanner decodes these lines into a numerical code corresponding to a database record.
  • Character capacity depends on the type:
    • Barcode 39: Up to 39 alphanumeric characters.
    • Barcode 128: Up to 128 alphanumeric characters.
    • UPCA: Up to 12 numeric characters.
  • Requires a barcode scanner to be read.

Magnetic Stripes:

  • Contain a thin black stripe (magstripe) with very small magnetic particles held in a film.
  • These tiny magnets are used to encode a unique serial number.
  • Read by a magnetic ID card reader.
  • Can contain three tracks of information.

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