The term 'barcode' itself doesn't refer to a specific file format but rather to a visual representation of data that machines can read. However, barcode images are typically stored in standard image file formats. These images contain encoded information, often in the form of parallel lines of varying widths and spacing, or as two-dimensional patterns like QR codes. The data encoded in a barcode can represent a wide range of information, such as product identification numbers, serial numbers, pricing, or website URLs. Barcode images are used extensively in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing to streamline processes like inventory management, point-of-sale transactions, and patient tracking. The information encoded in the barcode is decoded using a barcode scanner or a smartphone app that can interpret the visual pattern and convert it back into the original data. The image itself is just the container for this encoded data.