Comparing QR Codes to Traditional Barcodes
QR Codes have been around since the 1990s, but traditional two-dimensional barcodes have been around for decades. It’s safe to say that although the average consumer is becoming more aware of QR Codes, recognition of barcodes and what they’re used for is probably close to 100 percent.
Barcodes and QR Codes both allow you to store information in a tiny space. If that’s true, why not just use the more recognizable barcode instead of a QR Code? The answer is data: you can store more of it on a QR Code (see Figure 1-3). In a regular barcode you can encode data only vertically. In a QR code you can encode data both vertically and horizontally.
Figure 1-3: A QR Code allows you to store more information than a barcode.
QR Codes have these other advantages over barcodes:
QR Codes are readable from any direction. If you’ve ever self-scanned your groceries at the supermarket, you know how picky traditional barcodes can be.
QR Codes are generally more durable. The info in them can be decoded even if part of the QR Code is missing or damaged.
The jury is out on whether QR Codes will ultimately replace barcodes altogether. In a culture that prizes lots ...
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