EAN-8

EAN-8 is a compact version of the EAN product code, smaller than the more common EAN-13. Similarly to the uses of UPC-E relative to the more common UPC-A, EAN-8 is used in situations where a larger bar code won't easily fit. It contains eight digits, but one is a mandatory checksum, so only 7 actual data digits are used. This is not enough to encode a full EAN product code, but it can be used in specialized situations such as within a particular store chain that has generated 7-digit internal codes for its products.

Software

• Review of barcode scanner apps
• iOS app to read UPC/EAN codes and find product info/prices
• Android app to read UPC and QR codes to look up product info/prices and other info coded or linked in bar codes

Developer libraries and modules

• ZBar bar code reader library: cross-platform
• zxing (Zebra Crossing) (barcode library for Java, ported to some other systems)
• MediaWiki extension to generate UPC, EAN, and Code39 codes

Utilities

• Global UPC/EAN database
• Another EAN search site
• Online barcode generator (supports many different formats)
• EAN-8 bar code generator

References

• Wikipedia article