zint/docs/zint.1.pmd

% zint(1) Version 2.11.0
%
% May 2022

# NAME

`zint` - Encode data as a barcode image

# SYNOPSIS

| `zint` [`-h` | `--help`]
| `zint` [*options*]

# DESCRIPTION

zint takes input data from the command line or a file to encode in a barcode which is then output to an image file.

Input data is UTF-8, unless `--binary` is specified.

Human Readable Text (HRT) is displayed by default for those barcodes that support HRT, unless `--notext` is specified.

The output image file (specified with `-o` or `--output`) may be in one of these formats: Windows Bitmap (`BMP`),
Enhanced Metafile Format (`EMF`), Encapsulated PostScript (`EPS`), Graphics Interchange Format (`GIF`), ZSoft
Paintbrush (`PCX`), Portable Network Format (`PNG`), Scalable Vector Graphic (`SVG`), or Tagged Image File Format
(`TIF`).

# OPTIONS

`-h`, `--help`
:   Print usage information summarizing command line options.

`-b TYPE`, `--barcode=TYPE`
:   Set the barcode symbology that will be used to encode the data. *TYPE* is the number or name of the barcode
    symbology. If not given, the symbology defaults to 20 (Code 128). To see what types are available, use the `-t` or
    `--types` option. Type names are case-insensitive, and non-alphanumerics are ignored.

`--addongap=INTEGER`
:   For UPC/EAN symbologies, set the gap between the main data and the add-on. *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of
    the X-dimension. The maximum gap that can be set is 12. The minimum is 7, except for UPC-A, when the minimum is 9.

`--batch`
:   Treat each line of an input file specified with `-i` or `--input` as a separate data set and produce a barcode
    image for each one. The barcode images are outputted by default to numbered filenames starting with "00001.png",
    "00002.png" etc., which can be changed by using the `-o` or `--output` option.

`--bg=COLOUR`
:   Specify a background (paper) colour where *COLOUR* is in hex RRGGBB or RRGGGAA format.

`--binary`
:   Treat input data as raw 8-bit binary data instead of the default UTF-8. Automatic code page translation to an ECI
    page is disabled, and no validation of the data's character encoding takes place.

`--bind`
:   Add horizontal boundary bars (also known as bearer bars) to the symbol. The width of the boundary bars must be
    specified by the `--border` option.  `--bind` can also be used to add row separator bars to symbols stacked with
    multiple `-d` or `--data` inputs, in which case the width of the separator bars must be specified with the
    `--separator` option.

`--bold`
:   Use bold text for the Human Readable Text (HRT).

`--border=INTEGER`
:   Set the width of boundary bars (`--bind`) or box borders (`--box`), where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of
    the X-dimension.

`--box`
:   Add a box around the symbol. The width of the borders must be specified by the `--border` option.

`--cmyk`
:   Use the CMYK colour space when outputting to Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) or TIF files.

`--cols=INTEGER`
:   Set the number of data columns in the symbol to *INTEGER*. Affects Codablock-F, DotCode, GS1 DataBar Expanded
    Stacked (DBAR_EXPSTK), MicroPDF417 and PDF417 symbols.

`--compliantheight`

:   Warn if the height specified by the `--height` option is not compliant with the barcode's specification, or if
    `--height` is not given, default to the height specified by the specification (if any).

`-d`, `--data=DATA`

:   Specify the input *DATA* to encode. The `--esc` option may be used to enter non-printing characters using escape
    sequences. The *DATA* should be UTF-8, unless the `--binary` option is given, in which case it can be anything.

`--direct`

:   Send output to stdout, which in most cases should be re-directed to a pipe or a file. Use `--filetype` to specify
    output format.

`--dmre`

:   For Data Matrix symbols, allow Data Matrix Rectangular Extended (RMRE) sizes when considering automatic sizes.

`--dotsize=NUMBER`

:   Set the radius of the dots in dotty mode (`--dotty`). *NUMBER* is in multiples of the X-dimension, and may be
    floating-point. The default is 0.8.

`--dotty`

:   Use dots instead of squares for matrix symbols. DotCode is always in dotty mode.

`--dump`

:   Dump a hexadecimal representation of the symbol's encodation to stdout. The same representation may be outputted
    to a file by using a `.txt` extension with `-o` or `--output` or by specifying `--filetype=txt`.

`-e`, `--ecinos`

:   Display the table of ECIs (Extended Channel Interpretations).

`--eci=INTEGER`

:   Set the ECI code for the input data to *INTEGER*. See `-e` or `--ecinos` for a list of the ECIs available. ECIs
    are supported by Aztec Code, Code One, Data Matrix, DotCode, Grid Matrix, Han Xin Code, MaxiCode, MicroPDF417,
    PDF417, QR Code, rMQR and Ultracode

`--esc`

:   Process escape characters in the input data. The escape sequences are:

        \0      (0x00)    NUL  Null character
        \E      (0x04)    EOT  End of Transmission
        \a      (0x07)    BEL  Bell
        \b      (0x08)    BS   Backspace
        \t      (0x09)    HT   Horizontal Tab
        \n      (0x0A)    LF   Line Feed
        \v      (0x0B)    VT   Vertical Tab
        \f      (0x0C)    FF   Form Feed
        \r      (0x0D)    CR   Carriage Return
        \e      (0x1B)    ESC  Escape
        \G      (0x1D)    GS   Group Separator
        \R      (0x1E)    RS   Record Separator
        \\      (0x5C)    \    Backslash
        \xNN    (0xNN)         Any 8-bit character where NN is
                               hexadecimal
        \uNNNN  (U+NNNN)       Any 16-bit Unicode BMP character
                               where NNNN is hexadecimal

`--fast`

:   Use faster if less optimal encodation (currently affects Data Matrix only).

`--fg=COLOUR`

:   Specify a foreground (ink) colour where *COLOUR* is in hex RRGGBB or RRGGGAA format.

`--filetype=TYPE`

:   Set the output file type to *TYPE*, which is one of `BMP`, `EMF`, `EPS`, `GIF`, `PCX`, `PNG`, `SVG`, `TIF`, `TXT`.

`--fullmultibyte`

:   Use the multibyte modes of Grid Matrix, Han Xin and QR Code for non-ASCII data.

`--gs1`

:   Treat input as GS1 compatible data. Application Identifiers (AIs) should be placed in square brackets `"[]"` (but
    see `--gs1parens`).

`--gs1nocheck`

:   Do not check the validity of GS1 data.

`--gs1parens`

:   Process parentheses `"()"` as GS1 AI delimiters, rather than square brackets `"[]"`. The input data must not
    otherwise contain parentheses.

`--gssep`

:   For Data Matrix in GS1 mode, use `GS` (0x1D) as the GS1 data separator instead of `FNC1`.

`--guarddescent=INTEGER`

:   For UPC/EAN symbols, set the height of the guard bars' descent, where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of the
    X-dimension.

`--height=NUMBER`

:   Set the height of the symbol in multiples of the X-dimension. *NUMBER* may be floating-point. Increments of 0.5
    are recommended for raster output (BMP, GIF, PCX, PNG and TIF).

`--heightperrow`

:   Treat height as per-row. Affects Codablock-F, Code16K, Code 49, GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked (DBAR_EXPSTK),
    MicroPDF417 and PDF417.

`-i`, `--input=FILE`

:   Read the input data from *FILE*.

`--init`

:   Create a Reader Initialisation (Programming) symbol.

`--mask=INTEGER`

:   Set the masking pattern to use for DotCode, Han Xin or QR Code to *INTEGER*, overriding the automatic selection.

`--mirror`

:   Use the batch data to determine the filename in batch mode (`--batch`).

`--mode=INTEGER`

:   For MaxiCode and Composite symbols, set the encoding mode to *INTEGER*.

    For MaxiCode (SCM is Structured Carrier Message, with 3 fields: postcode, 3-digit ISO 3166-1 country code, 3-digit
    service code):

        2   SCM with 9-digit numeric postcode
        3   SCM with 6-character alphanumeric postcode
        4   Enhanced ECC for the primary part of the message
        5   Enhanced ECC for all of the message
        6   Reader Initialisation (Programming)

    For Composite symbols (names end in `_CC`, i.e. EANX_CC, GS1_128_CC, DBAR_OMN_CC etc.):

        1   CC-A
        2   CC-B
        3   CC-C (GS1_128_CC only)

`--nobackground`

:   Remove the background colour (EMF, EPS, GIF, PNG, SVG and TIF only).

`--noquietzones`

:   Disable any quiet zones for symbols that define them by default.

`--notext`

:   Remove the Human Readable Text (HRT).

`-o`, `--output=FILE`

:   Send the output to *FILE*. When not in batch mode, the default is "out.png" (or "out.gif" if zint built without
    PNG support). When in batch mode (`--batch`), special characters can be used to format the output filenames:

        ~           Insert a number or 0
        #           Insert a number or space
        @           Insert a number or *
        Any other   Insert literally

`--primary=STRING`

:   For MaxiCode, set the content of the primary message. For Composite symbols, set the content of the linear symbol.

`--quietzones`

:   Add compliant quiet zones for symbols that specify one. This is in addition to any whitespace specified by `-w` or
    `--whitesp` or `--vwhitesp`.

`-r`, `--reverse`

:   Reverse the foreground and background colours (white on black).

`--rotate=INTEGER`

:   Rotate the symbol by *INTEGER* degrees, where *INTEGER* can be 0, 90, 270 or 360.

`--rows=INTEGER`

:   Set the number of rows for Codablock-F or PDF417 to *INTEGER*. It will also set the minimum number of rows for
    Code 16k or Code 49, and the maximum number of rows for GS1 DataBar Expanded Stacked (DBAR_EXPSTK).

`--scale=NUMBER`

:   Set the X-dimension. *NUMBER* may be floating-point.

`--scmvv=INTEGER`

:   For MaxiCode, prefix the Structured Carrier Message (SCM) with `"[)>\R01\Gvv"`, where vv is a 2-digit *INTEGER*.

`--secure=INTEGER`

:   Set the error correction level (ECC) to *INTEGER*. The meaning is specific to the following matrix symbols:

        Aztec Code  1 to 4 (10%, 23%, 36%, 50%) (approx.)
        Grid Matrix 1 to 5 (10% to 50%) (approx.)
        Han Xin     1 to 4 (8%, 15%, 23%, 30%) (approx.)
        Micro QR    1 to 3 (L, M, Q)
        PDF417      0 to 8 (2^(INTEGER + 1) codewords)
        QR Code     1 to 4 (L, M, Q, H)
        rMQR        2 or 4 (M, H)
        Ultracode   1 to 6 (0%, 5%, 9%, 17%, 25%, 33%) (approx.)

`--segN=ECI,DATA`

:   Set the *ECI* & *DATA* content for segment N, where N is 1 to 9. `-d` or `--data` must still be given, and counts
    as segment 0, its ECI given by `--eci`. Segments must be consecutive.

`--separator=INTEGER`

:   Set the height of row separator bars for stacked symbologies, where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of the
    X-dimension.

`--small`

:   Use small text for Human Readable Text (HRT).

`--square`

:   For Data Matrix symbols, exclude rectangular sizes when considering automatic sizes.

`--structapp=I,C[,ID]`

:   Set Structured Append info, where `I` is the 1-based index, `C` is the count of total symbols in the sequence, and
    `ID`, which is optional, is the identifier that all symbols in the sequence share. Structured Append is supported
    by Aztec Code, Code One, Data Matrix, DotCode, Grid Matrix, MaxiCode, MicroPDF417, PDF417, QR Code and Ultracode.

`-t`, `--types`

:   Display the table of barcode types (symbologies). The numbers or names can be used with `-b` or `--barcode`.

`--vers=INTEGER`

:   Set the symbol version (size, check digits, other options) to *INTEGER*. The meaning is symbol-specific.

    For most matrix symbols, it specifies size:

        Aztec Code      1 to 36 (1 to 4 compact)
        Code One        1 to 10
        Data Matrix     1 to 48 (31 to 48 DMRE)
        Grid Matrix     1 to 13
        Han Xin         1 to 84
        Micro QR        1 to 4  (M1, M2, M3, M4)
        QR Code         1 to 40
        rMQR            1 to 38 (33 to 38 automatic width)

    For a number of linear symbols, it specifies check character options ("hide" or "hidden" means don't show in HRT,
    "show" or "visible" means do display in HRT):

        C25IATA         1 or 2 (add visible or hidden check digit)
        C25IND          ditto
        C25INTER        ditto
        C25LOGIC        ditto
        C25STANDARD     ditto
        Codabar         1 or 2 (add hidden or visible check digit)
        Code 11         0 or 1 (no or 1 check digit only)
                               (has 2 check digits by default)
        Code 39         1      (add visible check digit)
        Code 93         1      (hide the default check characters)
        EXCODE39        1      (add visible check digit)
        LOGMARS         1      (add visible check digit)
        MSI Plessey     0 to 6 (various check digit options)
                        +10    (hide)

    For a few other symbologies, it specifies other characteristics:

        Channel Code    3 to 8    (no. of channels)
        DAFT            50 to 900 (permille tracker ratio)
        Ultracode       2         (revision 2)
        VIN             1         (add international prefix)

`-v`, `--version`

:   Display zint version.

`--vwhitesp=INTEGER`

:   Set the height of vertical whitespace above and below the barcode, where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of the
    X-dimension.

`-w`, `--whitesp=INTEGER`

:   Set the width of horizontal whitespace either side of the barcode, where *INTEGER* is in integral multiples of the
    X-dimension.

`--werror`

:   Convert all warnings into errors.

# EXIT STATUS

`0`
:   Success (including when given informational options `-h`, `--help`, `-e`, `--ecinos`, `-t`, `--types`, `-v`,
    `--version`).

`2`
:    Invalid option given but overridden by Zint (`ZINT_WARN_INVALID_OPTION`)

`3`
:    Automatic ECI inserted by Zint (`ZINT_WARN_USES_ECI`)

`4`
:    Symbol created not compliant with standards (`ZINT_WARN_NONCOMPLIANT`)

`5`
:    Input data wrong length (`ZINT_ERROR_TOO_LONG`)

`6`
:    Input data incorrect (`ZINT_ERROR_INVALID_DATA`)

`7`
:    Input check digit incorrect (`ZINT_ERROR_INVALID_CHECK`)

`8`
:    Incorrect option given (`ZINT_ERROR_INVALID_OPTION`)

`9`
:    Internal error (should not happen) (`ZINT_ERROR_ENCODING_PROBLEM`)

`10`
:    Error opening output file (`ZINT_ERROR_FILE_ACCESS`)

`11`
:    Memory allocation (malloc) failure (`ZINT_ERROR_MEMORY`)

`12`
:    Error writing to output file (`ZINT_ERROR_FILE_WRITE`)

`13`
:   Error counterpart of warning if `--werror` given (`ZINT_ERROR_USES_ECI`)

`14`
:    Error counterpart of warning if `--werror` given (`ZINT_ERROR_NONCOMPLIANT`)

# EXAMPLES

Create "out.png" (or "out.gif" if zint built without PNG support) in the current directory, as a Code 128 symbol.

```bash
zint -d 'This Text'
```

Create "qr.svg" in the current directory, as a QR Code symbol.

```bash
zint -b QRCode -d 'This Text' -o 'qr.svg'
```

Use batch mode to read from an input file "ean_nos.txt" containing 13-digit GTINs, to create a series of EAN-13
barcodes, formatting the output filenames to "ean001.gif", "ean002.gif" etc. using the special character "~".

```bash
zint -b EANX --batch -i 'ean_nos.txt' -o 'ean~~~.gif'
```

# BUGS

Please send bug reports to https://sourceforge.net/p/zint/tickets/.

# SEE ALSO

Full documention for `zint` (and the API `libzint` and the GUI `zint-qt`) is available from
http://zint.org.uk/Manual.aspx, and at https://sourceforge.net/p/zint/docs/manual.txt.

# CONFORMING TO

Zint is designed to be compliant with a number of international standards, including:

EN 798:1996, EN 12323:2005, ISO/IEC 15420:2009,
ISO/IEC 15417:2007, ISO/IEC 15438:2015, ISO/IEC 16022:2006,
ISO/IEC 16023:2000, ISO/IEC 16388:2007, ISO/IEC 18004:2015,
ISO/IEC 20830:2021, ISO/IEC 24723:2010, ISO/IEC 24724:2011,
ISO/IEC 24728:2006, ISO/IEC 24778:2008, ISO/IEC 16390:2007,
ISO/IEC 21471:2019, AIM USS Code One (1994), ANSI/AIM BC12-1998,
ANSI/AIM BC6-2000, ANSI/AIM BC5-1995, AIM ISS-X-24 (1995),
AIMD014 (v 1.63) (2008), ANSI-HIBC 2.6-2016, AIM ITS/04-023 (2022)

# AUTHORS

Robin Stuart <robin@zint.org.uk>