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What is a QR Code?

QR Code is a two-dimensional code, a further development of the bar code, so to speak. QR stands for Quick Response – the information can be read quickly from the source by anyone with a smartphone and app.

  • Complex information is shown in abbreviated square form
  • Can be seen on flyers, posters, packaging, business cards etc.
  • Code is very robust and works despite possible damage

The application areas of the QR Code

Whether on billboards, tickets or flyers: more and more often you encounter the black and white squares with the seemingly cryptic patterns. The invention actually exists since the 90s, but only with the advent of smartphones the QR Code became an application for everyone. Meanwhile you can not only read it out quickly and easily with the appropriate apps, but you can even create your own on the Internet with generators. The information contained in the code initially seems to remain hidden to the reader, but after a short scan it leads to websites, texts, video and audio files, information, pictures, competitions and many other more or less useful destinations. In contrast to a barcode, the QR Code has much more memory available for information due to its two-dimensional structure: Up to 4,000 characters can be contained on a binary basis, which corresponds approximately to a DIN A4 page with text. The necessary programs for reading out the barcode are almost always available free of charge and can be installed directly on the mobile device. The app is called up via the corresponding icon and the code is scanned with the integrated camera. The decrypted information then leads, for example, to a web page, which is then opened after a possible query. QR Codes prove to be surprisingly robust, even after certain damages they can usually still be completely decrypted. The QR Code cannot cause any damage on the mobile phone. However, the QR Code cannot be seen to which destination it leads. Thus, at least theoretically, there is a risk that the code leads to a problematic or even malicious target. You can protect yourself from this danger by only scanning QR Codes that come from trustworthy sources

QR Code performs well in practice

Originally the code was developed for process optimization in the automotive industry. Today the QR Code has finally arrived in marketing, mainly due to the widespread use of smartphones. The code is enjoying ever-increasing popularity because this technology is an open and uncomplicated source because of its practical availability for everyone. Great advantages of the QR Code compared to bar codes are the higher data volume and the high error tolerance. For example, the code can be useful for teachers who want to include numerous links on a script. You dont have to type in cumbersome URLs anymore, but here the use of QR Codes, which you can create by yourself with a few clicks, is a good idea. For this purpose, there are several providers in the internet that are available for free. During the creation one should pay attention that e.g. link information does not change so fast, because otherwise it is worthless for the user. In the seemingly small chaos of the QR-square there is a sophisticated system: A series of elements ensures that all information can always be read out correctly. Meanwhile, there are umpteen different QR Code versions; for marketing purposes, seven versions are used in practice. A border zone helps the decoding app to distinguish the code from its environment. The data field also contains duplications (redundancies), so that up to about 30 percent of the code structure can be illegible without affecting the readability

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