how to generate qr code using zxing library with examples

QR codes have become an integral part of our lives, enabling us to transfer information and data more easily and quickly. With the help of ZXing library, we can easily generate QR codes on our own. It is one of the most widely used libraries among developers for QR code generation. It is an open-source library and provides easy-to-use APIs for QR code generation on Android, Java, and other platforms.

In this article, we will discuss how to use the ZXing library to generate QR codes and explore example codes for various use cases.

Step 1: Adding Dependancy

To use the ZXing library in your project, you need to add the following dependency in your build.gradle file:

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.google.zxing:core:3.4.1'
}

Step 2: Generate QR Code Image

To generate QR code image, we can use the following code:

First, we need to create a bitmap and encode the data to be transferred into a QR code. We then use the QR code writer to generate our QR codes image.

BarcodeEncoder barcodeEncoder = new BarcodeEncoder();
Bitmap bitmap = barcodeEncoder.encodeBitmap(data, BarcodeFormat.QR_CODE, width, height);

Here, the data parameter represents the data you want to encode, BarcodeFormat.QR_CODE specifies the format of the QR code, and width and height refer to the dimensions of the generated QR code image.

Step 3: Displaying the Generated QR Code Image

We can now display or use the generated QR code image. You can use an ImageView to display the generated image.

ImageView imageView = findViewById(R.id.imageView);
imageView.setImageBitmap(bitmap);

ZXing library also provides options for resizing the generated QR code image. By using the BitmapUtils class, you can resize the generated image as per your requirement.

Bitmap resizedBitmap = BitmapUtils.resize(bitmap, 300, 300);

Here, the 300×300 represents the desired height and width of the QR code image.

Example code for generating QR Code using ZXing Library

Let's consider a simple example where we want to generate a QR code of a text string. The following code snippet demonstrates the process:

import android.graphics.Bitmap;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.ImageView;

import androidx.annotation.Nullable;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;

import com.google.zxing.BarcodeFormat;
import com.google.zxing.MultiFormatWriter;
import com.google.zxing.common.BitMatrix;
import com.journeyapps.barcodescanner.BarcodeEncoder;

public class QRCodeGeneratorActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(@Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_qr_code_generator);

        String data = "Hello World!";

        ImageView imageView = findViewById(R.id.imageView);
        try {
            // generate the QR code using the data
            BitMatrix bitMatrix = new MultiFormatWriter().encode(data, BarcodeFormat.QR_CODE, 512, 512);
            BarcodeEncoder barcodeEncoder = new BarcodeEncoder();
            Bitmap bitmap = barcodeEncoder.createBitmap(bitMatrix);

            // set the bitmap to the ImageView
            imageView.setImageBitmap(bitmap);
        } catch (Exception e) {
            // handle exception
        }
    }
}

In the above example, we have created an activity called QRCodeGeneratorActivity. We have set our layout and initialized our ImageView. Similarly, we encoded our data and generated our QR code. Finally, we set the generated QR code image to our ImageView.

Conclusion:

ZXing library is a widely used open-source library for generating QR codes. It provides easy-to-use API for QR code generation on Android, Java, and other platforms. In this article, we have learned how to use the ZXing library for generating a QR code in a few easy steps. We have also looked at some example codes for various use cases. So, the next time you need to create a QR code, you know how to do it quickly and efficiently using ZXing.

Sure! Let's take a few topics and explore them in more detail.

QR Codes:

QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can store information such as text, URLs, and contact details. They can be scanned by a smartphone or tablet camera, which can decode the information stored in the code. QR codes are commonly used in marketing and advertising as a means of providing quick access to promotional materials or product information. They can also be used for various other purposes such as inventory tracking and ticketing.

One of the key advantages of QR codes is that they can store a lot of information in a small space. They are also very easy to generate using QR code generating software or libraries like ZXing. They can be printed on various surfaces such as posters, flyers, and business cards, making them an ideal tool for marketers.

However, there are also some limitations to QR codes. The main disadvantage is that users need a smartphone or tablet with a QR code reader app installed to scan the code. Additionally, the user must take the time to position the camera correctly to scan the code. This means that not all users may be able to scan the code in all situations.

APIs:

APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, are a set of programming instructions that allow developers to access specific functionality or data from an application or service. They are commonly used to integrate different systems or services in complex applications.

APIs enable developers to create powerful applications by leveraging existing infrastructure and functionalities. This saves development time and resources, allowing developers to focus on creating new functionality and improving the user experience.

There are various types of APIs, including REST APIs, SOAP APIs, and GraphQL APIs. REST APIs are the most commonly used type of API, as they are lightweight and easy to use. They rely on HTTP requests to retrieve and send data.

APIs are used by a wide range of industries and applications, such as social media networks, weather applications, e-commerce platforms, and financial services.

Mobile Development:

Mobile development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile development involves the use of programming languages such as Java, Swift, and Kotlin, as well as development environments such as Android Studio and Xcode.

The mobile development market has grown rapidly in recent years, fuelled by the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets. Mobile applications can be used for various purposes such as entertainment, productivity, and communication. They can also leverage device features such as camera, GPS, and touch screen to provide unique user experiences.

The mobile development industry is very competitive, and developers need to keep up with the latest development trends and technologies to remain relevant. Some of the emerging trends in mobile development include augmented reality, chatbots, and blockchain.

In conclusion, these topics represent just a fraction of what is possible in their respective fields. QR codes, APIs, and mobile development are all exciting and dynamic areas of technology with endless possibilities for innovation and growth. Whether you are a developer, marketer, or casual user, it's important to stay informed and aware of the latest trends and best practices in these fields to leverage their benefits and achieve your goals.

Popular questions

1. What is ZXing library?
   Answer: ZXing library is an open-source library that provides easy-to-use APIs for generating QR codes on Android, Java, and other platforms.

2. How do you add ZXing library to your project?
   Answer: You can add ZXing library to your project by adding the following dependency to your build.gradle file:

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.google.zxing:core:3.4.1'
}

3. How do you generate a QR code using ZXing library?
   Answer: You can generate a QR code using ZXing library by creating a bitmap and encoding the data you want to transfer into the code. You then use the QR code writer to create the QR code image.

BarcodeEncoder barcodeEncoder = new BarcodeEncoder();
Bitmap bitmap = barcodeEncoder.encodeBitmap(data, BarcodeFormat.QR_CODE, width, height);

Here, data represents the data you want to encode, BarcodeFormat.QR_CODE specifies the format of the QR code, and width and height refer to the dimensions of the generated QR code image.

4. How do you display the generated QR code image?
   Answer: You can display the generated QR code image in an ImageView by setting the bitmap to the ImageView.

ImageView imageView = findViewById(R.id.imageView);
imageView.setImageBitmap(bitmap);

You can also resize the generated image using the BitmapUtils class.

Bitmap resizedBitmap = BitmapUtils.resize(bitmap, 300, 300);

Here, 300×300 represents the desired height and width of the QR code image.

5. Can you give an example of generating a QR code using ZXing library?
   Answer: Sure! Here's an example code for generating a QR code of a text string:

String data = "Hello World!";
ImageView imageView = findViewById(R.id.imageView);
try {
    BitMatrix bitMatrix = new MultiFormatWriter().encode(data, BarcodeFormat.QR_CODE, 512, 512);
    BarcodeEncoder barcodeEncoder = new BarcodeEncoder();
    Bitmap bitmap = barcodeEncoder.createBitmap(bitMatrix);
    imageView.setImageBitmap(bitmap);
} catch (Exception e) {
    // handle exception
}

In this example, we have generated a QR code of the text string "Hello World!" and set the generated image to an ImageView.

Tag

QR-Code-Encoding