Choose Recognition Symbology

Working with barcode symbologies in recognition

When you recognize barcodes, one of the most important decisions is which symbologies to enable.
Choosing appropriate DecodeType values helps you:

  • improve performance (the engine does not have to try every possible symbology),
  • reduce false positives,
  • and make the intent of your code explicit.

This article shows how to:

  1. Recognize specific 1D symbologies (Code 128, Code 39, EAN, UPC, Codabar, ITF-14).
  2. Recognize 2D symbologies (QR, Micro QR, Data Matrix, GS1 Data Matrix, PDF417, Macro PDF417, Aztec).
  3. Work with postal barcodes.
  4. Use combined DecodeType values (ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES, TYPES_1D, TYPES_2D, custom sets).
  5. Recognize multiple barcodes in one image.

All code snippets are based on the sample class:

com.aspose.barcode.guide.recognition.choose_symbology.ChooseRecognitionSymbology

You can find the full source on GitHub:

ChooseRecognitionSymbology.java

In the snippets below, helper methods like ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage and ExampleAssist.pathCombine come from the test infrastructure and are used only to generate and locate sample images.

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODE_128, "123456789");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.CODE_128);

1. Recognizing specific 1D symbologies

In production code you often know exactly which 1D symbology you expect: Code 128 for logistics labels, EAN/UPC for retail, ITF-14 for cartons, and so on.
In such cases, pass the exact DecodeType to BarCodeReader.

1.1 Code 128

String fileName = "code128.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODE_128, "123456789");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_128);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.CODE_128);

Use this pattern when you work with logistics labels, internal IDs, or other generic Code 128 data and want fast, precise recognition.

1.2 Code 39 and Code 39 Full ASCII

String fileName = "code39.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODE_39, "CODE39-123");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_39);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.CODE_39);

String fileName = "code39_full_ascii.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODE_39_FULL_ASCII, "Full+ASCII/%$-123");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODE_39_FULL_ASCII);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.CODE_39_FULL_ASCII);

Use Code 39 Full ASCII when you need the extended character set beyond the basic Code 39 alphabet.

1.3 EAN-13 and EAN-13 with supplement

String fileName = "ean13.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.EAN_13, "5901234123457");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.EAN_13);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.EAN_13);

String fileName = "ean13_supplement.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.EAN_13, "5901234123457");
    barcodeGenerator.getParameters().getBarcode().getSupplement().setSupplementData("12345");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.EAN_13);
barCodeReader.getBarcodeSettings().setDetectEncoding(true);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.EAN_13);

EAN-13 with a 2‑ or 5‑digit supplement is common for magazines and books. The main symbology is still EAN-13, so DecodeType.EAN_13 is used.

1.4 EAN-8

String fileName = "ean8.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.EAN_8, "12345670");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.EAN_8);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.EAN_8);

Use EAN-8 for small products where a full EAN-13 symbol would not fit.

1.5 UPC-A and UPC-E

String fileName = "upca.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.UPCA, "123456789012");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.UPCA);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.UPCA);

String fileName = "upce.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.UPCE, "123456");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.UPCE);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.UPCE);

UPC-A and UPC-E are widely used in North America for retail items. Use the matching DecodeType for the symbology you expect on your labels.

1.6 Codabar

String fileName = "codabar.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODABAR, "A123456A");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.CODABAR);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.CODABAR);

Codabar is often used in logistics, libraries, and medical applications where start/stop characters carry additional meaning.

1.7 ITF-14

String fileName = "itf14.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.ITF_14, "12345678901231");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.ITF_14);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.ITF_14);

ITF-14 is used for shipping containers and outer packaging, usually encoding GTIN-14 values.

2. Recognizing 2D symbologies

For 2D barcodes you also choose specific DecodeType values.
Here are the basic patterns for QR, Micro QR, Data Matrix, GS1 Data Matrix, PDF417, Macro PDF417, and Aztec.

2.1 QR Code and Micro QR

String fileName = "qrcode.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.QR, "Hello QR");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.QR);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.QR);

String fileName = "microqr.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.MICRO_QR, "MQR");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.MICRO_QR);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.MICRO_QR);

Micro QR is useful when you have very little space and short payloads.

2.2 QR with high-quality settings (damaged or low-quality images)

String fileName = "qrcode_damaged.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.QR, "Damaged?");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.QR);
barCodeReader.setQualitySettings(QualitySettings.getHighQuality());
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.QR);

QualitySettings.getHighQuality() enables more aggressive image processing and can improve recognition of noisy or partially damaged symbols at the cost of performance.

2.3 Data Matrix and GS1 Data Matrix

String fileName = "datamatrix.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.DATA_MATRIX, "DMATRIX-12345");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.DATA_MATRIX);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.DATA_MATRIX);

String fileName = "datamatrix_gs1.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    String gs1CodeText = "(01)12345678901231(10)ABCD1234";
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.GS_1_DATA_MATRIX, gs1CodeText);
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.GS_1_DATA_MATRIX);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.GS_1_DATA_MATRIX);

Use DecodeType.GS_1_DATA_MATRIX when you expect GS1 AIs with FNC1 separators inside the symbol.

2.4 PDF417 and Macro PDF417

String fileName = "pdf417.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.PDF_417, "PDF417 sample");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.PDF_417);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.PDF_417);

String fileName = "pdf417_macro.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.MACRO_PDF_417, "Macro segment");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.MACRO_PDF_417);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.MACRO_PDF_417);

Use Macro PDF417 when your payload is split across multiple PDF417 symbols and you need macro metadata (file ID, segment index, segments count).

2.5 Aztec

String fileName = "aztec.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.AZTEC, "AZTEC-OK");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.AZTEC);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.AZTEC);

Aztec codes are common in transportation, tickets, and documents where high information density and robust reading are required.

3. Postal barcodes

Postal symbologies have dedicated DecodeType values.
The examples below show how to generate and recognize POSTNET, PLANET, and Australia Post barcodes.

3.1 POSTNET

String fileName = "postnet.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.POSTNET, "12345");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.POSTNET);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.POSTNET);

3.2 PLANET

String fileName = "planet.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.PLANET, "401234567890");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader = new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.PLANET);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.PLANET);

3.3 Australia Post

String fileName = "australia_post.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    String codeText = "11" + "12345678";
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.AUSTRALIA_POST, codeText);
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.AUSTRALIA_POST);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.AUSTRALIA_POST);

Use postal-specific DecodeType values when integrating with national postal systems.

4. Using combined DecodeType values

Sometimes you do not know the exact symbology, but you can still restrict recognition to a group of types.
Aspose.BarCode provides several ways to do this:

  • pre-defined grouped types: ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES, TYPES_1D, TYPES_2D
  • explicit sets via setBarCodeReadType(...)

4.1 All supported types

String fileName = "all_types.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.QR, "MIXED");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.QR);

Use DecodeType.ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES when you truly do not know the symbology in advance and are willing to trade performance for flexibility.

4.2 All 1D types

String fileName = "types_1D_barcodes.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODE_128, "1D-SET");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.TYPES_1D);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.CODE_128);

DecodeType.TYPES_1D restricts recognition to all 1D symbologies. This is a good default when you know your application only uses linear codes.

4.3 All 2D types

String fileName = "types_2D_barcodes.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.DATA_MATRIX, "2D-SET");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.TYPES_2D);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.DATA_MATRIX);

DecodeType.TYPES_2D is useful when your application uses QR, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, and similar 2D symbologies, but does not rely on 1D codes.

4.4 Custom set of symbologies with setBarCodeReadType

String fileName = "specific_types.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.DATA_MATRIX, "Specific types");
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES);

barCodeReader.setBarCodeReadType(
        DecodeType.CODE_128,
        DecodeType.QR,
        DecodeType.DATA_MATRIX
);

ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.DATA_MATRIX);

Here, the reader is limited to three symbologies: Code 128, QR, and Data Matrix.
Use this pattern when your application supports a known subset of types and you want to avoid checking all others.

4.5 GS1-128 only

String fileName = "gs1_128.png";

ExampleAssist.checkOrCreateImage(FOLDER, fileName, fullPath -> {
    String gs1CodeText = "(01)09501101530008(17)251231(10)BATCH-42";
    BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator =
            new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.GS_1_CODE_128, gs1CodeText);
    barcodeGenerator.getParameters().getBarcode().getXDimension().setPixels(2);
    barcodeGenerator.getParameters().getBarcode().getBarHeight().setPixels(60);
    barcodeGenerator.save(fullPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);
});

String imagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(imagePath, DecodeType.GS_1_CODE_128);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 1, DecodeType.GS_1_CODE_128);

Use DecodeType.GS_1_CODE_128 when you expect GS1 application identifiers encoded in a Code 128 symbol.

5. Multiple barcodes in one image

You can also recognize images that contain more than one barcode.
In this scenario you typically use a broad DecodeType (for example ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES) and then inspect each BarCodeResult returned by readBarCodes().

String fileName = "multi.png";

String tempCode128Path = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, "tmp_multi_code128.png");
String tempQrPath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, "tmp_multi_qr.png");

BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator1 =
        new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.CODE_128, "MULTI-1-C128");
barcodeGenerator1.getParameters().getBarcode().getXDimension().setPixels(2);
barcodeGenerator1.getParameters().getBarcode().getBarHeight().setPixels(60);
barcodeGenerator1.save(tempCode128Path, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);

BarcodeGenerator barcodeGenerator2 =
        new BarcodeGenerator(EncodeTypes.QR, "MULTI-2-QR");
barcodeGenerator2.getParameters().getBarcode().getXDimension().setPixels(4);
barcodeGenerator2.save(tempQrPath, BarCodeImageFormat.PNG);

BufferedImage leftImage = ImageIO.read(java.nio.file.Paths.get(tempCode128Path).toFile());
BufferedImage rightImage = ImageIO.read(java.nio.file.Paths.get(tempQrPath).toFile());

int gap = 20;
int width = leftImage.getWidth() + gap + rightImage.getWidth();
int height = Math.max(leftImage.getHeight(), rightImage.getHeight());

BufferedImage canvas = new BufferedImage(width, height, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_ARGB);
Graphics2D graphics = canvas.createGraphics();
graphics.drawImage(leftImage, 0, 0, null);
graphics.drawImage(rightImage, leftImage.getWidth() + gap, 0, null);
graphics.dispose();

String multiImagePath = ExampleAssist.pathCombine(FOLDER, fileName);
ImageIO.write(canvas, "PNG", java.nio.file.Paths.get(multiImagePath).toFile());

BarCodeReader barCodeReader =
        new BarCodeReader(multiImagePath, DecodeType.ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES);
ExampleAssist.assertRecognized(barCodeReader, fileName, 2, DecodeType.CODE_128, DecodeType.QR);

In this example, two symbols (Code 128 and QR) are drawn on a single canvas.
BarCodeReader returns both results, and the helper assertRecognized verifies that at least one Code 128 and one QR code were found.

Summary

To get the best results from BarCodeReader in Aspose.BarCode for Java:

  • Specify concrete symbologies (DecodeType.CODE_128, DecodeType.EAN_13, DecodeType.QR, and so on) whenever you know what to expect.
  • Use grouped types (TYPES_1D, TYPES_2D, ALL_SUPPORTED_TYPES) when you need more flexibility.
  • Use setBarCodeReadType(...) to define a custom subset of symbologies tailored to your application.
  • Combine these choices with QualitySettings when working with low-quality or damaged images.
  • For images containing multiple barcodes, use a broader DecodeType and iterate over all BarCodeResult instances returned by readBarCodes().

All code examples in this article are derived from:

ChooseRecognitionSymbology.java

Use this class as a reference when configuring symbology handling in your own Java applications.

Basic Barcode Recognition Different Input Sources