using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; // Creating a barcode is as simple as: var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); // And save our barcode as in image: myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); Image myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image; // Can be used as Image Bitmap myBarcodeBitmap = myBarcode.ToBitmap(); // Can be used as Bitmap // Reading a barcode is easy with IronBarcode: var resultFromFile = BarcodeReader.Read(@"file/barcode.png"); // From a file var resultFromBitMap = BarcodeReader.Read(new Bitmap("barcode.bmp")); // From a bitmap var resultFromImage = BarcodeReader.Read(Image.FromFile("barcode.jpg")); // From an image var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf // After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize and save which is easily done with: var myNewBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); myNewBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100); myNewBarcode.SaveAsImage("myBarcodeResized.jpeg"); // To set more options and optimization with your Barcode Reading, // Please utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions paramter of read: var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions { // Choose a speed from: Faster, Balanced, Detailed, ExtremeDetail // There is a tradeoff in performance as more Detail is set Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced, // Reader will stop scanning once a barcode is found, unless set to true ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true, // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for. // Specifying one or more, performance will increase. ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional, // Utilizes multiple threads to reads barcodes from multiple images in parallel. Multithreaded = true, // Maximum threads for parallel. Default is 4 MaxParallelThreads = 2, // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes. // Will improve performance significantly and avoid unwanted results and avoid noisy parts of the image. CropArea = new Rectangle(), // Special Setting for Code39 Barcodes. // If a Code39 barcode is detected. Try to use extended mode for the full ASCII Character Set UseCode39ExtendedMode = true }; // And, apply: var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; /*** CREATING BARCODE IMAGES ***/ // Shorthand:: Create and save a barcode in a single line of code BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); /***** IN-DEPTH BARCODE CREATION OPTIONS *****/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode which can be styles and exported as an Image object or File GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Any Number, String or Binary Value", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128); // Style the Barcode in a fluent LINQ style fashion MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 150).SetMargins(20).AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("Example EAN8 Barcode").AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGoldenrodYellow); // Save MyBarCode as an image file MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsGif("MyBarCode.gif"); MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.html"); MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg("MyBarCode.jpg"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsTiff("MyBarCode.tiff"); MyBarCode.SaveAsWindowsBitmap("MyBarCode.bmp"); // Save MyBarCode as a .NET native objects Image MyBarCodeImage = MyBarCode.Image; Bitmap MyBarCodeBitmap = MyBarCode.ToBitmap(); byte[] PngBytes = MyBarCode.ToPngBinaryData(); using (System.IO.Stream PdfStream = MyBarCode.ToPdfStream()) { // Stream barcode image output also works for GIF,JPEG, PDF, PNG, BMP and TIFF } // Save MyBarCode as HTML files and tags MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.Html"); string ImgTagForHTML = MyBarCode.ToHtmlTag(); string DataURL = MyBarCode.ToDataUrl(); // Save MyBarCode to a new PDF, or stamp it in any position on any page(s) of an existing Document MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPage("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, 1); // position 200x50 on page 1 MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPages("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, new[] { 1, 2, 3 }, "Password123"); // multiple pages of an encrypted PDF

using IronBarCode; using System; using System.Drawing; /*** STYLING GENERATED BARCODES ***/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode object which allows the barcode to be styled and annotated. GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Iron Software", BarcodeWriterEncoding.QRCode); // Any text (or commonly, the value of the barcode) can be added to the image in a default or specified font. // Text positions are automatically centered, above or below. Fonts that are too large for a given image are automatically scaled down. MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("This is My Barcode", new Font(new FontFamily("Arial"), 12, FontStyle.Regular, GraphicsUnit.Pixel), Color.DarkSlateBlue); // Resize, add Margins and Check final Image Dimensions MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 300); // pixels MyBarCode.SetMargins(0, 20, 0, 20); int FinalWidth = MyBarCode.Width; int FinalHeight = MyBarCode.Height; //Recolor the barcode and its background MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGray); MyBarCode.ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkSlateBlue); if (!MyBarCode.Verify()) { Console.WriteLine("Color contrast should be at least 50% or a barcode may become unreadable. Test using GeneratedBarcode.Verify()"); } // Finally save the result MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("StyledBarcode.html"); /*** STYLING BARCODES IN A SINGLE LINQ STYLE EXPRESSION ***/ // Fluent API BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("https://ironsoftware.com", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec).ResizeTo(250, 250).SetMargins(10).AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode().SaveAsImage("StyledBarcode.png"); /*** STYLING QR CODES WITH LOGO IMAGES OR BRANDING ***/ // Use the QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo Method instead of BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode // Logo will automatically be sized appropriately and snapped to the QR grid. var qrCodeLogo = new QRCodeLogo("ironsoftware_logo.png"); GeneratedBarcode myQRCodeWithLogo = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo("https://ironsoftware.com/", qrCodeLogo); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.SaveAsPng("QRWithLogo.Png").SaveAsPdf("MyVerifiedQR.html"); // save as 2 formats

Published November 14, 2023

Version 4 QR Code up to 50 Characters (Beginner Guide)

Dynamic QR Codes, short for Quick Response codes, have become an integral part of our daily lives. These two-dimensional barcodes or QR Codes are used for a wide range of purposes, from advertising and marketing to ticketing and contactless payments. As technology continues to advance, so do QR codes. One significant advancement is the introduction of Version 4 QR Code up to 50 char, which offers some exciting new features while accommodating a maximum data capacity of up to 50 input characters of data. In this article, we'll explore what the Version 4 QR Code model and Micro QR Code are, their capabilities, and how they are being used in various applications.

Understanding QR Codes

QR Codes are a type of matrix barcode that can store various types of data, such as text, URLs, contact information, module configuration, and more. They were invented in 1994 by a Japanese company called Denso Wave. QR codes are known for their ability to store information efficiently and be scanned quickly using smartphones or dedicated QR code scanners using position detection pattern or the alignment pattern.

Version 4 QR Code up to 50 Characters (Beginner Guide): Figure 1 - Data Encoded QR code

QR Code Versions

QR Codes come in different versions, each with varying capabilities. These versions are denoted by a numeric value, such as Version 1, Version 2, and so on. As the version number increases, the QR code's capacity to store data and its error correction capabilities improve.

In addition to the well-known QR Code or Quick Response Code standards, there's another noteworthy variant called Micro QR Code with different module configuration. Unlike traditional QR codes, Micro QR Codes are more compact and designed for situations where space is limited. They come in various QR code symbol version, including rectangular Micro QR code, which can efficiently store a substantial amount of data while using different module configuration. This adaptability makes Micro QR Codes a valuable solution for scenarios where standard QR codes may be too large or impractical.

QR Code Version 4

QR Code Version 4, also known as QR Code Model 4, is one of the latest iterations of QR codes. It was introduced to accommodate a larger amount of data while maintaining efficient scanning capabilities. Decodable QR Code Version 4 is a square matrix composed of 33x33 modules (black and white squares), resulting in 1,089 modules in total. Compared to its predecessors and QR Code standard, this version allows for the storage of up to 50 alphanumeric characters with a high level of error correction level.

Version 4 QR Code up to 50 Characters (Beginner Guide): Figure 2 - QR Code Version 4

Key Features of QR Code Version 4

The primary advantage of QR Code Version 4 is its increased data capacity or QR Code size. With a maximum data capacity of 50 characters, it can handle more extensive amounts of information while maintaining error correction as compared to most QR Codes.
QR Code Version 4 incorporates robust error correction algorithms, ensuring that even if part of the QR Code is damaged or obscured, it can still be scanned and interpreted accurately. The error correction level is a crucial aspect, and QR Code Version 4 excels in this regard.
QR Code Version 4 is versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, including product packaging, marketing materials, event tickets, and more.

Applications of QR Code Version 4

Product Packaging

Many companies use QR Code Version 4 on product labels and packaging due to the amount of data. These QR codes can provide customers with detailed product information including alphanumeric characters, user manuals, and access to customer support.

Marketing and Advertising

QR codes are commonly used in marketing campaigns. QR Code Version 4 allows marketers to include more information, such as product descriptions, promotional offers, and links to websites.

Event Tickets

Event organizers use QR codes for ticketing purposes. QR Code Version 4 enhances ticket security by incorporating advanced error correction, making it difficult for counterfeit tickets to be created.

Contactless Payments

Some payment apps and services use QR codes for contactless payments. The increased data capacity of QR Code Version 4 allows for a maximum number of transaction details to be encoded, improving payment accuracy and security.

Introducing IronBarcode

IronBarcode is a robust and versatile .NET library that simplifies barcode generation and recognition for developers. With support for a wide range of barcode formats, including QR codes, Data Matrix, UPC, EAN, and more, IronBarcode seamlessly integrates into various .NET platforms, ensuring efficient barcode-related tasks for applications in industries like retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. Its user-friendly APIs, high performance, and platform compatibility make it an essential tool for creating, reading, and manipulating barcodes within .NET applications, enhancing functionality and user experiences effortlessly regardless of character type.

Create and Scan QR Code with IronBarcode

We can easily develop our own QR Code Scanner and QR Code Generator with the help of IronBarcode. First of all, we need to install the IronBarcode in our C# .NET Project.

Install IronBarcode

To install the IronBarcode library in your C# project, you can use the NuGet Package Manager, which is a popular package management system for .NET projects. Write the following command in the NuGet Package Manager Console.

Install-Package BarCode

Version 4 QR Code up to 50 Characters (Beginner Guide): Figure 3 - IronBarcode Installation

NuGet will download and install the IronBarcode library and its dependencies into your project.

Write Code to Generate Version 4 QR Code up to 50 char

The following sample code will generate QR Code up to 50 characters with the highest error correction level.


    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        string textToEncode = "QR Code Version 4 Upto 50 char by IronBarcode"; // data encoded
        var qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode(textToEncode, 500, QRCodeWriter.QrErrorCorrectionLevel.High, 4);
        qrCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();
        qrCode.SaveAsImage("QrCodeVersion4.jpg");
    }


    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        string textToEncode = "QR Code Version 4 Upto 50 char by IronBarcode"; // data encoded
        var qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode(textToEncode, 500, QRCodeWriter.QrErrorCorrectionLevel.High, 4);
        qrCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode();
        qrCode.SaveAsImage("QrCodeVersion4.jpg");
    }

Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
		Dim textToEncode As String = "QR Code Version 4 Upto 50 char by IronBarcode" ' data encoded
		Dim qrCode = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode(textToEncode, 500, QRCodeWriter.QrErrorCorrectionLevel.High, 4)
		qrCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode()
		qrCode.SaveAsImage("QrCodeVersion4.jpg")
End Sub

VB C#

QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode(textToEncode, 500, QRCodeWriter.QrErrorCorrectionLevel.High, 4) method creates a QR Code using the QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCode method. It takes four parameters:

textToEncode: The text you want to encode.
500: The size of the QR Code image (in pixels).
QRCodeWriter.QrErrorCorrectionLevel.High: The error correction level. In this case, it's set to "High," which provides strong error correction.
The QR Code version. In our code, we specified Version 4.

Output QR Code Version 4

The dynamic QR code generated by our code is as follows:

Version 4 QR Code up to 50 Characters (Beginner Guide): Figure 4 - QR Code Version 4

Write a Code to Scan QR Code

The following code will create a QR code reader that reads the QR Code value and prints it on the Console.

var qrCode = BarcodeReader.Read("QrCodeVersion4.jpg");
foreach(var qrCodeData in qrCode)
{
    Console.WriteLine(qrCodeData);
}

var qrCode = BarcodeReader.Read("QrCodeVersion4.jpg");
foreach(var qrCodeData in qrCode)
{
    Console.WriteLine(qrCodeData);
}

Dim qrCode = BarcodeReader.Read("QrCodeVersion4.jpg")
For Each qrCodeData In qrCode
	Console.WriteLine(qrCodeData)
Next qrCodeData

VB C#

The above C# code uses the IronBarcode library to read a QR Code image named "QrCodeVersion4.jpg". It then iterates through the data found in the QR Code and prints each piece of information to the console.

Output

Version 4 QR Code up to 50 Characters (Beginner Guide): Figure 5 - QR Code Output

Conclusion

In conclusion, QR Code Version 4, along with the versatile capabilities of IronBarcode, marks a significant advancement in barcode technology. It can store more data, up to 50 characters, and has smart error correction. It's important to mention that IronBarcode supports all QR code versions, not just Version 4, making it useful for many projects. With IronBarcode, developers can easily use QR codes in their apps, making them more useful and efficient. As QR code technology keeps improving, QR codes, together with tools like IronBarcode, will keep playing a big role in sharing and managing information.

You can explore IronBarcode for free during a free trial, and if it meets your needs, consider purchasing a commercial license. As technology evolves, QR codes, with tools like IronBarcode, will remain vital in modern information exchange and data management systems.