2D codes
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The most used 2D symbology:
QR Code
Name derived from Quick Response Code. Its advantage is that it can be read from any direction by a simple camera, e.g. on a mobile phone. It is equipped with an advanced reading error correction method. It is currently used en masse mainly to easily transfer data structures from printed media to mobile devices (e.g. business cards, URLs, payment orders, etc.). The capacity of the code can be up to 7089 digits, up to 4296 alphanumeric characters, 2953 bytes, 1817 Japanese kanji characters.
Aztec Code
Despite being patented, it is released for general use. It is one of the smallest 2D codes, plus it doesn't need space around it when printing. It can be as large as 151×151 pixels, allowing it to encode up to 3832 digits, 3067 letters or 1914 bytes of data.
Data Matrix
Is a 2D code highly resistant to corruption due to its control codes. The main advantage is its size, where for example a 50 character code takes only 2-3mm2. Another advantage is that it is already readable at a print contrast of 20%, which allows it to be burned with a laser with a spot size of 300micrometers, e.g. on medical instruments. The maximum size of the information stored in the code is up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters.
MaxiCode
MaxiCode is a code designed for the US Postal Service (UPS). It is also often referred to as the UPS code. It can store up to 93 characters, and up to 8 codes can be concatenated together for a larger number of characters. The circular center is used to focus the code during automated reading.
PDF417
2D code based on compound linear codes. It is mainly used in aviation for boarding pass identification, but also used elsewhere. It is composed of 1 to 30 lines called codewords. Each line (codeword) contains the encoded number 0 to 928 inclusive. The text is translated into code using the Base928 mechanism, which uses 900 codes for text and 29 codes for special functions. This coding allows each line to contain one or two characters, a group of 5 lines can contain up to 6 bytes, 15 lines and 44 digits.
The main advantage of this code is that it can be read by a linear laser reader.
