What is the difference between a bar code and an ISBN?

A bar code is the graphic with vertical lines that encodes numerical information for scanning purposes. The ISBN is simply a number.  The ISBN number generally rides at the bottom of the bar code.  You can obtain a bar code from any number of sources including one of our print partners when you go to press.  Another option is to obtain a bar code from RR Bowker at the same time as your ISBN at:  https://www.myidentifiers.com/index.php?page=barcode_packages.