machine-readable code

noun

UK /məˈʃiːn ˈriːdəbl kəʊd/

US /məˈʃiːn ˈriːdəbl koʊd/

Code that a computer can read and understand by itself.

The barcode on the cereal box is machine-readable code that the scanner reads at the checkout.

SYNONYMS

computer-readable code digital code encoded data scannable code

RELATED WORDS

barcode QR code data format encoding scanner

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A format of data structured so software can parse it automatically, such as JSON or XML.

The website shares its product list as machine-readable code so other apps can use it.

3. A pattern of marks, like dots or bars, that a device can scan and turn into information.

The ticket has machine-readable code along the bottom that the gate scans.

4. Text or symbols written in a strict way that computers process without human help.

Scientists released the results as machine-readable code so tools could compare them quickly.