Easy Barcode Generation with Python

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. System Requirements
3. Installing Python and Required Packages
4. Creating a Folder
5. Importing the Barcode Module
6. Choosing the Barcode Class
7. Creating and Saving the Barcode
8. Using Code 39 Class
9. Importing Image Writer
10. Saving the Barcode as an Image

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn how to create barcodes using Python. Barcodes are widely used in various industries for labeling and tracking products. We will use the Python programming language and a Python external package called "Barcode" to generate barcodes. By following the step-by-step instructions, you will be able to easily create barcodes and save them as both SVG and PNG image files.

System Requirements

Before we begin, let's make sure we have the necessary system requirements in place. The only requirement is to have a stable Python installation. If you haven't installed Python yet, make sure to download and install the latest version from the official Python website.

Installing Python and Required Packages

To generate barcodes, we need to install the "barcode" package for Python. Open your command prompt or terminal and run the following command:

pip install barcode

This will install the necessary package for barcode generation. Once the installation is complete, we are ready to start creating barcodes.

Creating a Folder

Let's create a new folder where we will write our Python code and save the generated barcodes. You can choose any location on your computer to create this folder. For demonstration purposes, let's assume we have already created a folder named "barcodes".

Now, open a PowerShell window within the "barcodes" folder by right-clicking and selecting "Open PowerShell window here".

Importing the Barcode Module

In order to create barcodes, we need to import the "barcode" module in our Python script. Open the Python shell within the PowerShell window by typing python and pressing Enter.

Type the following command to import the barcode module:

import barcode

If the module is recognized and imported successfully, you should see no errors or messages.

Choosing the Barcode Class

The "barcode" module provides various classes for generating different types of barcodes. You can find the complete list of available classes on the official Python Barcode documentation. For this tutorial, let's focus on the "en 13" and "code 39" classes.

The "en 13" class allows you to enter only a 13-digit number, while the "code 39" class supports alphanumeric characters and special symbols. Let's start by creating a barcode using the "en 13" class.

Creating and Saving the Barcode

To create a barcode, we need to create an instance of the chosen barcode class and provide the desired value. Let's create a barcode for the number "1234567890113". In the Python shell, type the following commands:

QR = barcode.get_barcode_class('en13')('1234567890113')
QR.save('1234567890113')

This will create a barcode and save it as an SVG file with the name "1234567890113" in the folder. You can open the SVG file using any text editor or a web browser to view the barcode.

Using Code 39 Class

Now, let's create a barcode using the "code 39" class, which supports alphanumeric characters and special symbols. In the Python shell, type the following commands:

from barcode.writer import ImageWriter
CODE39 = barcode.get_barcode_class('code39')
QR = CODE39('ABCDEF', writer=ImageWriter())
QR.save('barcode')

This will create a barcode for the value "ABCDEF" and save it as a PNG image file with the name "barcode" in the folder. You can open the PNG file using any image viewer to view the barcode.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have learned how to create barcodes using Python. We covered the installation of the necessary packages, choosing different barcode classes, and saving the generated barcodes as both SVG and PNG image files. By applying this knowledge, you can easily incorporate barcode generation functionality into your Python applications.

Remember to experiment with different barcode classes and values to explore the full potential of barcode generation in Python.

Highlights

• Generate barcodes using Python
• Easy installation of required packages
• Choose from different barcode classes
• Save barcodes as SVG and PNG image files
• Incorporate barcode generation in Python applications

FAQ

Q: Can I generate barcodes with custom values?

A: Yes, you can generate barcodes with custom values by providing the desired input during the barcode creation process. The values can include numbers, alphabets, and special symbols.

Q: Can I change the format of the generated barcode?

A: Yes, you can change the format of the generated barcode by modifying the code to save the barcode in the desired format. By default, the barcode is saved as an SVG file, but you can modify it to save as other formats such as PNG or JPEG.

Q: Is barcode generation limited to specific barcode types?

A: No, barcode generation is not limited to specific barcode types. The "barcode" package in Python supports various barcode classes, allowing you to generate different types of barcodes such as Code 39, QR Code, and more.

Q: Can I integrate barcode generation into my existing Python applications?

A: Yes, you can easily integrate barcode generation into your existing Python applications. Simply import the necessary modules and follow the provided instructions to generate barcodes based on your requirements.

Q: Is Python the only programming language capable of generating barcodes?

A: No, Python is not the only programming language capable of generating barcodes. There are various libraries and packages available in other programming languages such as Java, C#, and JavaScript that provide barcode generation capabilities as well.