There is no need for one to be a rocket scientist or a nuclear physicist in order to master the "barcode scanner". Fact of the matter is, you only need to read the label or the instruction that comes along with it in order to use it in the most proper way possible. Remember that your computer, no mater how sophisticated its system may be can not read barcodes if there are no barcode scanners to read them. Most of the type, these scanners are either pen scanners or laser scanners and they can read any barcode font with little or no problem at all.
The main reason as to why you need to know the type of barcode scanner that you will be using is for you to familiarize with its functions, software, maintenance and such. Find out if you will be using a laser scanner or a pen scanner as the former will use laser beam in capturing data while the later will emit light that will enable your system to read the data in the barcode.
After knowing the type of barcode scanner, your next task would be to check the software interface for the scanner that you have. In order for it to be usable in your compute, you need to have various codes and they come in different variances. For instance a USB barcode scanner works like a keyboard in the computer while a serial port scanner may need a class different from the textbox in order to function fully well.
If there are any obstructions while scanning, make sure to get rid of it first. Most if not all frozen products have moisture so their barcodes are not that easy to read. This is why you need to determine what causes the obstruction and deal with it first instead of scanning one time over and over again.
It would be best to check the performance of your barcode scanner every week. This will give you an idea if there is a problem that needs to be dealt with, if there are calibrations that need to be performed and so on. When not used, make it a point to clean your barcode scanner's exterior and put it in a dry and safe place.
The connectors of your barcode scanner serve as its blood vessels that help it function well. Make it a point to take care of these wires as they are the lifeline of your computer. If one part is not working right, then the whole thing may not function accordingly. While it would be okay to reset your system every now and then, checking the connection of the wires is still the best way to check why this or that is happening.