Validation of a bar code is different then verification. The terms are often confused. Validation of a bar code is the process of checking that the proper number has been printed as expected. As an example, is it in the expected sequential order? Is it in the random, but expected order, based on a database look-up? Validation is not the "quality" check of the print quality of the bar code. Validation will not tell you if the bar code is readable by all other bar code readers down the line or at your customer's site.

Verification is analyzing the bar code as compared to ISO standard for the print quality of the symbol. Verification will tell you if a bar code should be readable by all the other readers down the line or at your customer's site. For a more detailed understanding of verification, see What is Bar Code Verification? on this web site.