A barcode scanner is a device used to read barcode labels. When the barcode scanner’s laser begins picking up a barcode label, it converts the black and white lines of the barcode into the numbers and characters. It then transmits that code to the computer exactly as if you had typed it on the keyboard. Ever since typing characters in by hand is extremely time-consuming, ineffective, and usually has a high error rate, barcode scanners are considered an essential and useful instrument for several different industry verticals.