My first encounter with a QR code was when I subscribed to Fave, a platform that offers deals at several restaurants. I downloaded the Fave app on my mobile phone. Scanned the image of the QR code displayed at participating restaurants. Voila. Discounts dutifully appeared on my mobile phone screen.

Next was QR code menus. I was impressed with the small square images on restaurant tables that could be transformed into menus on my mobile phone. Point. Scan. Decide what I want to eat that day. No waiting for servers to bring along hard copy menus. No need for printed menus (think of the trees saved).

But it is the must-use ‘Check-in’ feature of the government developed MySejahtera app that has made me really appreciate QR codes. Why? Because all I have to do is scan the QR code to register, and secure entry to a whole host of retail and business outlets, offices, factories, public premises and transport services. Each premise/establishment has its own unique QR code that matches its outlet[1]. No need to write down my personal details before I shop, eat, drink, work and travel. It’s touchless. It’s quick. Just like the Q in QR code or Quick Response. As an aside, in Malaysia, these measures are in place to help in contact tracing as Covid-19 still remains a threat.

Curious. I wanted to understand QR codes a little bit more. As usual, I didn’t grasp everything. Technology and me – we have a hazy, fuzzy relationship. I know and I don’t.  I understand and I don’t. That said, I learnt the following.

One. QR codes are not limited to the one shape and appearance that I know, which is an arrangement of black squares and dots in a square grid on a white background. Apparently, it is possible to create QR codes in many different shapes and styles. There are five that are most common. They all do the same job – they just look slightly different. Apart from the QR Code, there’s the Aztec Code, Maxi Code, PDF147 and Semacode[2]. QR codes can also be printed in different colours and even with pictures embedded in them.

Two. QR codes work like a barcode. Standard barcodes (like the ones on products we buy) can only be read in one direction, top to bottom. They store a small amount of information, usually in an alphanumeric (letters and numbers) format. A QR code can be read in two directions – top to bottom and right to left. This allows it to house significantly more data[3]. Up to 7089 digits or 4296 characters, including punctuation marks and special characters, and encode words and phrases like internet addresses [4]. Also, the encoded or programmed piece of data in QR codes can be alphanumeric, numeric, binary or Kanji. Kanji is a form of Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese writing system[5].

Why Kanji, I wondered? Well… The QR code system was invented in 1994 by Masahiro Hara from the Japanese company Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary. Its purpose then was to track vehicles during manufacturing. It was designed to allow high-speed component scanning[6]. 

Three. QR codes can be scanned using a digital device like a smartphone – using the camera app or with a QR code reader app. Just align and scan the inside squares and dots of the QR code. That’s it. It then links straight to texts or URLs/ web addresses. No spelling errors. No wrong URLs. Why? Because there is no need to manually key in a specific internet address of a company/product/personality like I normally do on my laptop when searching on Google. QR codes also link to videos and images.

Four. QR codes offer quick access/links to specific information or online resources. They are used quite widely in advertising and marketing campaigns. For instance, QR codes can be found in magazine ads, posters and banners (link to discounts/promotions/new launches). Also, at bus stops or railway stations (link to online timetable or travel information), business cards (link to people’s online resume), and product packaging (link to company and/or nutritional information).

Five. QR codes are apparently easy to create.  There are websites that generate free codes. Once the code is created – it can be printed, downloaded or embedded in a web page. You can include your company URL, a short text message (about 160 – 250 characters), an SMS or phone number in the QR code[7].

There are on-going discussions about competition to QR codes, its relevance in the longer term, security risks and limitations. For now, I like that my easy to scan QR codes allow me quick and contactless access to physical premises, and links to virtual data.