Not so long ago, in many shops, as well as in other institutions of a completely different orientation, whether it be museums, cafes or sports complexes, square white tablets with black squares inside, arranged in some completely chaotic order, began to spread widely. Many people immediately had a question: "What is it?". As it turned out, the answer is quite simple - this is a regular QR code, which has long been used in developed countries.
In this article you will learn what a QR code is. Also get acquainted with the history of creation and its developers. Learn how the process of creating a QR code occurs.
It should be noted that working with QR codes requires specialized software, which, fortunately, is available to literally every user of mobile devices or personal computers.
So it is definitely possible to assure that the QR code has entered into mass use.
What is a QR code?
Back in 1994, the Japanese corporation Denso-Wave developed a special encryption method with which you can encode any file containing no more than 7089 digits / 4296 letters / special characters.
Initially, it was created for the automotive industry, which required a modern, fast and convenient record of all data related to the process of creating and selling cars. And this is not surprising: if you count at least how many details are used even in the budget car itself, and then try to register them all, take them into account and enter them into any database, then it is easy to guess that this work will be very time-consuming and expensive.
Yes, it could be done using the usual barcodes, but the industrialists were not happy with the amount of information that this code could contain.
So, thanks to the requirements of the Japanese auto industry and the work of Denso-Wave specialists, a QR code appeared.
Now you know what a QR code is.
Where is it used now?
For more than twenty years, the QR code has moved from a niche tool for large businesses to a mass product. Therefore, it is not enough to know what a QR code is. You also need to be aware of where it is currently used.
In fact, the scope of QR code is great. But everywhere it performs its main function - it makes people's lives easier.
Some online stores use QR codes to confirm the purchase by the user. This can be done thanks to the high level of data storage security that such code provides.
Many applications, in particular Viber, use this code to interact with users. For example, you have a Viber application on your smartphone, but you want to use the version of the messenger for a personal computer. To do this, you will need to download and install the application on your PC, and then confirm the synchronization between accounts using the QR code.
In many museums near the exhibits there is a small QR code, by scanning which the visitor will receive complete information about a particular work of art.
Using this code, you can purchase and confirm the authenticity of tickets for rail, air and bus transportation. There is no longer any need to print out a ticket sheet that you can lose or forget. All information is in the smartphone, which lies in the pocket (or is simply always with you) for most people.
You can also find the QR code on the check in some store. It can be encrypted with information about either a purchase, or about a stock held by a store, or about any third-party advertising. This has been a frequent practice lately.
By the way, for various reasons, large retail chains are in no hurry to replace barcodes with QR codes.
How to use a QR code?
To scan a QR code, you will need to use a special program on your smartphone. Fortunately, the choice of free special software for scanning QR codes is huge both in the official Google app store and in the official Apple app store for iOS.
And you don’t even need to choose a product from a particular development studio. There is no fundamental difference between the utilities (precisely in terms of code scanning).
After downloading the application, you need to open it and send it to the desired code. The utility will scan it and give a link to the information encrypted in the code.
Program for QR codes
It is interesting that some manufacturers of firmware for smartphones and tablets integrate the function of automatic reading of QR codes into the standard camera application.
But if your smartphone does not have such a function, you can download one of the programs, which will be offered below.
For Android OS:
- QR BARCODE SCANNER;
- QR Droid Code Scanner;
- BIDI: lector QR y de barras.
For iOS:
- QR Code Reader from Kaywa;
- i-nigma QR Code, Data Matrix and 1D barcode reader;
- Scanvi
All of the above applications are free.
How to create a QR code?
Creating a QR code is quite simple using one of dozens of specialized services. You can find them on request in a search engine.
It is enough to specify the link that needs to be encrypted. Then the service itself will generate a QR code that can be shared with people.
Now you know what a QR code is, how to create it, use it, and where it is used now.