International Standard Book Number

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numeric commercial book identifier. Publishers purchase ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency.

Learning Task

 * (Computer Science) ISBN International Standard Book Number can be regarded as primary key for database record for a book. Explain the purpose on a primary key in relational database in general. What are simarilities and difference between
 * ISBN $$\rightarrow$$ Book and
 * primary key $$\rightarrow$$ database record.
 * An ISBN can be encode with a barcode. What is the benefit of barcodes and/or QR Codes in the context of a book store or library and information systems?